Sarah Strong "cupping" marks on right shoulder

[Gael]

In today's game against UTSA, I noticed for the first time that Sarah had three or four reddish circles around her right shoulder, which look like cupping marks.

If Sarah is cupping, does that necessarily signify that she has some sort of soreness or tightness in her shoulder muscles or fascia—or do basketball players cup as just some sort of preventive routine? Whatever the reason, it certainly didn't seem to affect her lightning quick arm movements on defense, her shooting, or her Velcro hands.

 

[fomalhaut]

Kits were sold in the 19th century which allowed both cupping and bloodletting:

Cupping

 

[Blond D.]

Cupping is right up there with acupuncture and other ancient medicines. Its to help blood flow to tired muscles, get rid of tightness, stuff like that. A lot of doctors dismiss it but some say it works.
Back in my day we had Ben-Gay...love that smell.

 

[husky98]

In today's game against UTSA, I noticed for the first time that Sarah had three or four reddish circles around her right shoulder, which look like cupping marks.

If Sarah is cupping, does that necessarily signify that she has some sort of soreness or tightness in her shoulder muscles or fascia—or do basketball players cup as just some sort of preventive routine? Whatever the reason, it certainly didn't seem to affect her lightning quick arm movements on defense, her shooting, or her Velcro hands.

It’s not for any specific injury they do it as part of regular maintenance and recovery just like a massage. She’s fine!

 

[Bone Dog]

It is probably as effective as kinesio tape

 

[Halloween]

Cupping is right up there with acupuncture and other ancient medicines. Its to help blood flow to tired muscles, get rid of tightness, stuff like that. A lot of doctors dismiss it but some say it works.
Back in my day we had Ben-Gay...love that smell.

Your Ben-gay comment brought back memories. I remember using similar rub called a-balm back in height school. Still remember the smell.

 

[jaundicedeye]

It is probably as effective as kinesio tape

Different functions. Kinesio tape serves a supportive function. Cupping is intended to facilitate/localize blood flow to promote healing and recovery.

 

[HopJim]

It’s not for any specific injury they do it as part of regular maintenance and recovery just like a massage. She’s fine!

Regular maintenance? I find it hard to believe it is just being used as a random PT practice. Have had it for various injuries for several years and its always to help with specific issues.

 

[Zanzman]

Your Ben-gay comment brought back memories. I remember using similar rub called a-balm back in height school. Still remember the smell.

I should have gone to height school also😂😂😂🤣

 

[FanSince17]

Your Ben-gay comment brought back memories. I remember using similar rub called a-balm back in height school. Still remember the smell.

It was called Atomic Balm

 

[msf22b]

My wife recognized it immediately
Typical in Chinese medicine

 

[Golden Husky]

It worked for Michael Phelps.

 

[maple]

Regular maintenance? I find it hard to believe it is just being used as a random PT practice. Have had it for various injuries for several years and its always to help with specific issues.

Every time I get a massage I get the cupping add on. I don’t have any upper body injuries. But I do find it super relaxing. It doesn’t mean anything either way.

 

[NW-MW]

I think more than actual injury it could be more neck/shoulder tension from being a student athlete, I know I carry my stress there and I'm just a student currently.

 

[SVCBeercats]

It is probably as effective as kinesio tape

Sometimes I think athletic trainers practice their own form of Voodoo.

 

[SVCBeercats]

It worked for Michael Phelps.

Without it he may have won more medals. Placebo!

 

[Scud49]

Your Ben-gay comment brought back memories. I remember using similar rub called a-balm back in height school. Still remember the smell.

If I remember right, it had a helluva good burn to it - you forgot all about acheing muscles...!

 

[Bigboote]

It was called Atomic Balm

I was a frequent user in high school. One time when I used it on a pulled groin, I quickly swore not to do that again. I was reminded continuously for about two hours, it's not like capsaicin, which wears off in six minutes.

Back to cupping: A few years ago it seemed like there were some teams that had about half of their players with cup marks all over them every game, like a giant squid got loose in the locker room. I don't remember UConn using it all that much, but Sarah is nowhere near the first player to have it done.

 

[and one]

Swimmers seem to use it a lot. When I was rehabbing from rotator cuff surgery last year my PT person used it on me a couple of times. I don't remember it making things any better.

 

[FanSince17]

I was a frequent user in high school. One time when I used it on a pulled groin, I quickly swore not to do that again. I was reminded continuously for about two hours, it's not like capsaicin, which wears off in six minutes.

Back to cupping: A few years ago it seemed like there were some teams that had about half of their players with cup marks all over them every game, like a giant squid got loose in the locker room. I don't remember UConn using it all that much, but Sarah is nowhere near the first player to have it done.

Sounds like the locker room prank from back in the day. Atomic balm and jock straps were involved.
Last year as a freshman Sarah was on the floor a lot more minutes than this year and she played a big majority inside.
I’d like to see her inside more. I’ll trade shooting 3’s to doing more rebounding. She can play three next year. Team’ll have tons of big guys next year. I used to say the same about LeBron. Couldn’t he average a million from the low post.

 

[Samoo]

Regular maintenance? I find it hard to believe it is just being used as a random PT practice. Have had it for various injuries for several years and its always to help with specific issues.

Check out Donovan Clingan and Deni Avdija in the NBA, they always have cupping marks, along with several other Trailblazers.

 

[Charliebball]

At this point in the season, most players are dealing with nagging injuries............I would assume she's got some kind of soreness that needs to be addressed but that doesn't mean it's anything of a serious nature.......nothing wrong with a bit of short term pain for long term gain......

 

[HuskylnSC]

It was called Atomic Balm

Before stepping to the urinal! Nobody ever warned the freshmen

 

[Blond D.]

I should have gone to height school also😂😂😂🤣

Me too, I would have loved to have graduated at the top of THAT class

 

[Rocket009]

Different functions. Kinesio tape serves a supportive function. Cupping is intended to facilitate/localize blood flow to promote healing and recovery.

that is assuming that there is any function...