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Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

batmagadanleadoff Aug 06 2014 10:30 AM

Mets Latch On to Cupping Therapy, and Have the Marks to Prove It "Zero Evidence" That Practice Is Useful, Says One Doctor By Jared Diamond and Andrew Beaton connect Aug. 5, 2014 10:10 p.m. ET Daisuke Matsuzaka had been attacked by an octopus. At least, that's what it looked like to Mets pitcher Matt Harvey, who peered across the clubhouse one day during spring training and noticed his teammate's bare back covered with purple, baseball-sized bruises. Intrigued, and perhaps a little concerned, Harvey inquired about the circles checkering Matsuzaka's skin. Before long, he was learning about cupping therapy, an ancient Chinese form of alternative medicine that purports to promote healing by increasing blood flow to targeted parts of the body. After conducting a bit of his own research—"Google tells you everything, nowadays," he said—Harvey decided to give it a try. He found that it worked as advertised. "It's something I can feel immediate relief from," said Harvey, who is currently rehabbing from Tommy John elbow-ligament replacement surgery. Four months later, one can hardly walk through the Mets' locker room without seeing the familiar markings of cupping therapy on some player's skin, from 40-year-old veteran Bobby Abreu (who has since been designated for assignment) to 26-year-old rookie Jacob deGrom. [fimg=604]http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/NY-DD407_NYCUPP_G_20140805122405.jpg[/fimg] The sudden proliferation of cupping within the Mets and other major-league teams illustrates the lengths to which professional athletes will go to try to stay in top physical shape. In the case of cupping therapy, that means subjecting themselves to a practice with a questionable scientific foundation. (The Mets organization declined to make its medical personnel available to discuss cupping, and declined to allow photographs of the therapy and its resultant bruises.) "As an athlete, I want to play as long as possible," said Matsuzaka, the 33-year-old right-hander who started cupping about two years ago. "In order to do that, I need to find ways to protect my body. I'm always looking for something that might be better." The millennia-old art of cupping traditionally involves using a flame to create a vacuum inside a glass bulb, which is then applied to the skin for as long as 15 minutes. Blood is pulled to the area, causing bruising and, ostensibly, relief of tight, sore muscles. Some believe that cupping can also help with arthritis, eczema and migraine headaches, among other ailments. Today, teams like the Mets and others that practice cupping use a mechanical suction pump to create the vacuum. Nick Paparesta, the trainer for the Oakland Athletics, said in an interview that virtually the entire A's roster has undergone cupping therapy at some point this season. Paparesta called it a "twofold solution" because it can provide both immediate and long-term relief of lower back or oblique tightness, and can be done post-surgery to help reduce scarring. Yuliya Chernyak, a Manhattan-based licensed acupuncturist who performs cupping therapy on athletes, said the therapy works to relieve muscle stiffness and pain, reduce swelling and even treat illness because it "loosens up the mucous, increases circulation, stimulates lungs and helps to fight the infection." When done correctly, cupping isn't painful, though the patient may feel pressure and residual soreness afterward. "We pull muscles out and increase circulation," Chernyak said. "It removes toxins and brings all the stagnant blood and waste from deep within the tissue to the surface so that it will be easily eliminated." Several Mets have noticed the results. "When you're feeling tight and you do it, you feel better," said 24-year-old reliever Jeurys Familia. DeGrom said that since he began cupping, "After my starts, I haven't really been sore at all." Reliever Vic Black has been a proponent of cupping for more than two years. "You can feel the muscle being drawn to the cup, and all of a sudden halfway through, you feel the release of it," he said. Medical studies, however, don't back up these claims, according to a doctor who has researched alternative treatments. "There's absolutely zero evidence that cupping has any kind of positive role in medicine," said Barrie Cassileth, the chief of integrative medicine service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. She said the post-cupping bruises result simply from the suction on the skin, which may be more harmful to circulation than helpful. "I cannot conceive of any benefit except a psychological benefit," said Cassileth, who has written books on alternative treatments and noted that, unlike cupping, holistic therapies such as acupuncture have been proved effective in medical tests. Not every Met has gotten on board. Injured reliever Bobby Parnell, for one, said he doesn't expect to try it. But the players who have tried it seem unconcerned about the debate. "I've heard that before, too, but I've had it done on myself, and I feel the difference," Matsuzaka said. "I feel that it loosens up my muscles, and I feel that it's effective." Paparesta also recognizes that cupping has its skeptics. He pointed to hyperbaric oxygen chambers and cryotherapy as other examples of alternative treatments that athletes have been willing to try. But for the A's, it doesn't matter much what the outside world thinks, only what the players think. "They're willing to do whatever they can to help them achieve their goal," Paparesta said. "We definitely see people and medical professionals who may feel that a holistic-type approach isn't something for them. Our motto is: 'We never know it all.' " In other words, if the players think cupping works, then cupping works. For the most part, the Mets' players echoed that sentiment. Though they insist that cupping does have a physical effect, they also recognize the mental aspect. Black, one of the team's most ardent supporters of the treatment, said, "The placebo effect is a lot more powerful than people realize." That's why multiple players said that even if a doctor told them definitively that cupping has no benefit, they would continue doing it anyway. "There's more belief in it, and that's why I feel comfortable doing it," Black said. "That's why everything works." Whatever the upside, physical or mental, it's all part of athletes' unending quest to stay fit. They will try almost anything, especially if it comes recommended from one of their peers. Paparesta also recognizes that cupping has its skeptics. He pointed to hyperbaric oxygen chambers and cryotherapy as other examples of alternative treatments that athletes have been willing to try. But for the A's, it doesn't matter much what the outside world thinks, only what the players think. "They're willing to do whatever they can to help them achieve their goal," Paparesta said. "We definitely see people and medical professionals who may feel that a holistic-type approach isn't something for them. Our motto is: 'We never know it all.' " In other words, if the players think cupping works, then cupping works. For the most part, the Mets' players echoed that sentiment. Though they insist that cupping does have a physical effect, they also recognize the mental aspect. Black, one of the team's most ardent supporters of the treatment, said, "The placebo effect is a lot more powerful than people realize." That's why multiple players said that even if a doctor told them definitively that cupping has no benefit, they would continue doing it anyway. "There's more belief in it, and that's why I feel comfortable doing it," Black said. "That's why everything works." Whatever the upside, physical or mental, it's all part of athletes' unending quest to stay fit. They will try almost anything, especially if it comes recommended from one of their peers. http://online.wsj.com/articles/mets-lat ... 1407291031

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 06 2014 10:41 AM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

I'm certain it's every bit as effective as those magnetic bracelets they used to wear.

batmagadanleadoff Aug 06 2014 10:45 AM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

They probably used leeches to treat David Wright's broken back a few years ago. I bet this cup piece is one story the Mets were hoping wouldn't ever get out.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 06 2014 10:49 AM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

Oh for sure. No photos of our bruised players, please!

Gwreck Aug 06 2014 11:19 AM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

A half-dozen players talked about it on the record. How would this possibly be something the Mets were hoping "wouldn't ever get out."

batmagadanleadoff Aug 06 2014 11:30 AM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

Who cares if 89 Mets talked about it? The Mets could still hope that the story never gets out. The Mets could've also been hoping it never got out before the first Met disclosed it. People hope for unlikely things all the time. I wish I could pitch for the Mets. I wish I could win the Mega Millions lottery. Intermittently Decent.

Gwreck Aug 06 2014 11:32 AM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

Thanks, that was totally irrelevant and you still ignored the question: How would this possibly be something the Mets were hoping "wouldn't ever get out" ?

batmagadanleadoff Aug 06 2014 11:39 AM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

It's not irrelevant. The FO hoped the story never got out the same way they're hoping the Mets'll win the pennant. Is there a limit as to what someone's allowed to hope for? I don't really know what the FO was hoping for vis a vis that story, if you wanna know the truth about this, if you wanna corner me into saying so. I just made an irreverent, goofy off the cuff remark. Does my remark really merit this kind of scrutiny?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 06 2014 11:46 AM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

I think given the long history of abuse the org has taken for various health-related calamities, they'd prefer that they didn't look as though they condone questionable therapies adopted by their players. The fact that the org refused to allow photos and their staff wouldn't answer questions probably says as much. This sounds like a widespread practice that just hasn't gotten out yet because sportswriters in general tend to be complicit in carrying out the what-happens-in-the-clubhouse vibe, and maybe, just hadn't paid as much attention as Diamond did here. The Mets will be made to look foolish for this, just wait.

Edgy MD Aug 06 2014 11:50 AM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

The FO hoped the story never got out the same way they're hoping the Mets'll win the pennant. I think his point was something along the line of, if the Mets were hoping this story didn't get out, he would conclude that would have explicitly compelled their players not to talk about it. While that's not automatic, it's certainly easier than winning the pennant. I myself would guess that the front office didn't think a whole lot about the potential story one way or the other.

batmagadanleadoff Aug 06 2014 11:51 AM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I think given the long history of abuse the org has taken for various health-related calamities, they'd prefer that they didn't look as though they condone questionable therapies adopted by their players. The fact that the org refused to allow photos and their staff wouldn't answer questions probably says as much. This sounds like a widespread practice that just hasn't gotten out yet because sportswriters in general tend to be complicit in carrying out the what-happens-in-the-clubhouse vibe, and maybe, just hadn't paid as much attention as Diamond did here. The Mets will be made to look foolish for this, just wait. But how could the Mets have hoped for the story never to get out? How? I want answers!!!!!

batmagadanleadoff Aug 06 2014 11:53 AM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Aug 06 2014 11:55 AM

Edgy MD wrote: The FO hoped the story never got out the same way they're hoping the Mets'll win the pennant. I think his point was something along the line of, if the Mets were hoping this story didn't get out, he would conclude that would have explicitly compelled their players not to talk about it. While that's not automatic, it's certainly easier than winning the pennant. Jesus Fucking Christ here. The story was bound to get out eventually no matter what the Mets did. The Mets knew it or had to have known. So does this mean that they can't hope against hope? Edgy MD wrote: I myself would guess that the front office didn't think a whole lot about the potential story one way or the other. A distinct possibility.

Edgy MD Aug 06 2014 11:54 AM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

I'm surprised to have provoked a religious reaction. Take it easy, man.

batmagadanleadoff Aug 06 2014 11:55 AM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

Edgy MD wrote: I'm surprised to have provoked a religious reaction. Take it easy, man. I'm only decent intermittently. And definitely not the religious type.

Benjamin Grimm Aug 06 2014 12:18 PM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

I don't see why the Mets would care one way or another if this story came out. I realize that there are some who like to think that every little thing that happens is some kind of sign of the team's incompetence, but I don't understand it.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Aug 06 2014 01:07 PM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I don't see why the Mets would care one way or another if this story came out. I realize that there are some who like to think that every little thing that happens is some kind of sign of the team's incompetence, but I don't understand it. Some, including the Mets!

Frayed Knot Aug 06 2014 02:10 PM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

Not sure about the health benefits, but I can see how this Cups thing can increase hand-eye coordination. [youtube:yyqe61gt]6y1aOg_UO_A[/youtube:yyqe61gt]

themetfairy Aug 06 2014 02:10 PM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I don't see why the Mets would care one way or another if this story came out. I realize that there are some who like to think that every little thing that happens is some kind of sign of the team's incompetence, but I don't understand it. Agreed. This is a total tempest in a teapot. If some of the players find it relaxing - akin to getting a massage - and they think it helps, then who cares?

themetfairy Aug 06 2014 02:12 PM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

[youtube:13nattwg]vMefuqseEeY[/youtube:13nattwg]

d'Kong76 Aug 06 2014 02:26 PM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

Tanaka is using cups therapy. Can't divulge how I know this. I can divulge that it won't hit the papers in a negative way.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 06 2014 03:22 PM Re: Mets Medicine Cup Runneth Over

Black's take on it is remarkably self-aware, innit? "It may just work because I think it works, but hell, it's working."