Olympics 2024: What Is Cupping Therapy That Is Causing Olympic Swimmers To Have Dark Red Patches On Skin?

Paris Olympic Games 2024: Many swimmers have been sporting red patches on their backs. What are these patches supposed to do? Read on to find out.

Paris Olympic Games 2024: The Paris Olympics is currently underway, drawing digital viewership in millions with many others marking their presence by cheering for their favourite athletes in person. When it comes to swimming as a sport, several ace swimmers made their comeback in the arena. Many among them were seen sporting dark red patches on their backs -- akin to circles -- as they participated in the high-action sport. What are these patches and what purpose to they serve? Read on to find out.

The dark red patches, which may appear to be painful, are actually marks caused by 'cupping'. While they are considered to be bruises, these circular marks are a result of an alternative therapy called 'cupping therapy'. It involves using cups made of silicon, plastic, or glass, which can cause suction on the skin to relieve it of pain, remove toxins, boost immune function and improve the flow of blood.

It was legendary swimmer Michael Phelps who kind of pushed this therapy into the spotlight, when he was spotted with strange marks at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

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A post shared by Michael Phelps (@m_phelps00)

What Is Cupping?

Cupping is said to be a Chinese practice. The basic idea is to draw the blood to certain areas of the body, or away from it, depending on where the pain and inflammation is. Should you opt for it, know that a therapist will place the suction cups on specific parts of the body. By the end of the therapy, you are likely to feel relaxed and rejuvenated.

What Are The Types Of Cupping Therapy?

The therapy is broadly divided into two types: dry and wet.

In dry cupping therapy, there is no involvement of blood. The therapist simply places the cups on the skin and compresses them with their hands. Or, they may use a pump. If the cup is made of glass, a flame may be needed. The cups are left on the skin for a good few minutes.

In wet cupping therapy, the therapist creates a suction by placing the cup on your skin for a few minutes. After that, they may use a sharp object like a scalpel to make some cuts on the skin to draw out blood. This is followed by a second suction that takes place by putting cup back on the skin. The method is adopted as a natural pain reliever.

Do Cupping Marks Stay For Long?

In case you are thinking of undergoing this therapy session, know that it can address various pain points in the body, such as lower back, neck and shoulder, knees, etc. That is why it is such a hit among swimmers. While it can cause discolouration, the cupping marks usually disappear in a week or so.