As American tennis star Ben Shelton battled his way through the rounds at Wimbledon, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time, viewers worldwide noticed something unusual: prominent, circular red and purple marks adorning his arms and shoulders.
These distinctive imprints, visible beneath his trademark tank top, sparked considerable online buzz and curiosity. What were these strange symbols? Were they injuries, or something else entirely?
The Answer: Cupping Therapy
The marks in question are the tell-tale sign of cupping therapy, an ancient practice that has found significant favour among modern athletes seeking an edge in recovery and performance.
Originating in traditional medicine systems across China, Egypt, and the Middle East thousands of years ago, cupping involves placing cups on the skin and creating suction. This vacuum effect pulls the skin and underlying tissues upwards.
How Cupping Works (And Why It Leaves Marks)
The visual drama of the marks stems directly from the mechanics of the therapy. When suction is applied, it causes tiny blood vessels—capillaries—just beneath the skin`s surface to break. This results in the characteristic circular bruises. While they may appear somewhat alarming to the uninitiated, these marks are generally painless and typically fade within a few days or a week.
Beyond the superficial bruising, the suction is believed to influence the body in several ways:
- Increased Blood Flow: The vacuum draws blood to the localized area, which practitioners believe enhances circulation.
- Tissue Release: It can help stretch fascia and loosen tight muscles and connective tissues, potentially reducing stiffness and increasing range of motion.
- Inflammatory Response: By creating a mild, controlled inflammatory response, cupping may stimulate the body`s natural healing processes.
Why Athletes Like Ben Shelton Use Cupping
For athletes competing in physically demanding sports like professional tennis, recovery is just as crucial as training. Gruelling matches put immense strain on muscles and joints. This is where cupping therapy comes in as a popular recovery tool:
- Muscle Pain and Tension Relief: Cupping is widely used to alleviate muscle soreness and knots that accumulate during intense play and practice. Reducing this tension can lead to greater comfort and potentially improve performance.
- Accelerated Recovery: Enhanced blood flow to targeted muscles is thought to help clear metabolic byproducts (like lactic acid) and deliver oxygen and nutrients, speeding up the repair of micro-tears that occur during strenuous exercise. It`s like hitting the `fast forward` button on muscle repair.
- Improved Flexibility: By working on fascia and tight tissues, cupping can contribute to better flexibility and range of motion, vital for the dynamic movements required in tennis.
- Stress Reduction: Some users also report a calming effect, similar to massage, which can be beneficial for managing the mental and physical stress of elite competition.
So, the next time you see those prominent circles on an athlete like Ben Shelton, remember they aren`t signs of injury. They are, in fact, temporary badges of honour – visible evidence of dedicated physical maintenance and the adoption of ancient techniques to meet the demanding challenges of modern sport. It`s a curious mix of tradition and cutting-edge athletic preparation, proving that sometimes, the oldest methods still have a place on the biggest stages.
