Every time the Olympics come around I am very excited! I look forward to watching closely as people from around the world come together to compete and show off their brilliant perfection. I often think about how hard these athletes work, giving up a balanced life, in exchange to possibly be the best in the world in their particular sport.

This year I was particularly excited to see several athletes with cupping marks on shoulders and arms. Have you noticed the dark, purplish markings on athletes at the Olympic games this year? Micheal Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, isn't the first one to show off cupping marks! Athletes and individuals with injuries have used cupping for thousands of years. And, now you are wondering, should I be using cupping for my pain and injuries? The answer is YES!

Cupping is a method of treatment that involves the use of suction against the skin. Cotton swabs are lighted with alcohol and placed inside the cup where the oxygen is burned. This creates a vacuum effect when the cup is placed against the skin. There is no burning of the skin. Some of the benefits of cupping are to warm the body, promote circulation, to help in fighting off colds, and to reduce pain from chronic overuse injury or trauma.

I am so happy to see Chinese Medicine creeping into the mainstream. For me, it is painfully slow at times, but it is making it's way into people's hearts and minds. Integrative medicine here we come!