What is cupping? Explaining the circles on swimmers' bodies at the 2024 Olympics

As the Paris Olympics begin, don’t be surprised if you see several dark-colored circles on swimmers' backs and bodies as they dive into the pools for competition. Don’t be alarmed. They are not in pain.

The circles are part of an old healing process called cupping. The alternative recovery technique dates back to ancient Middle Eastern, Chinese and Egyptian cultures. Egyptians used cupping as a healing mechanism to treat pain, fever, vertigo and other illnesses.

From there, Egyptians introduced the process to the Greeks before it later spread into the Chinese civilizations. The method was practiced in America and Europe up until the 1800s before the rise of medicine became the preferred choice of healing.

With swimming events beginning Friday, here’s a breakdown on cupping and how the process works for swimmers.

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What is cupping therapy?

Cupping therapy is a healing method where a therapist places special cups on a person’s skin for several minutes to generate suction with the idea to remove inflammation, enhance immune capabilities, reduce pain and eliminate toxins. The cups can be made of bamboo, ceramic, glass, silicone and plastic. There are four types of cupping but two main ones that include dry cupping and wet cupping.

The dry cupping method requires a therapist to apply cups to the skin after layering it with oil or lotion. Then, he or she will squeeze them with his or her hands or a pump. If the therapist uses a glass cup, he or she can incorporate the use of a flame. While the cups are applied to the skin for three to five minutes, they rest on the skin long enough to break small blood vessels that create bruises. However, the process generates the removal of harmful toxins and substances.

When it comes to wet cupping, a therapist will place a cup on a person’s back for nearly three to five minutes. He or she will remove the cup and use a small scalpel to create tiny cuts on the skin to string out a small amount of blood. Depending on the number of cups, the process could take 10-15 minutes. The idea of creating cuts helps the body to fight infections and generate natural pain relievers.

Why do Olympic swimmers have circles on their bodies?

Olympic swimmers have circles on their bodies due to the cupping process. Typically, the circles are dark after undergoing the alternative therapy using the suction cups. Although the cups are only applied to the skin for a short period of time, they are layered on the skin long enough for the capillaries underneath the skin to break, generating light pink to dark purple-like bruises that have been spotted on Olympians like Michael Phelps, Japanese swimmer Akira Namba and Australian Kyle Chalmers in past Olympics. However, the skin returns to normal after nearly 10 days.

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Cupping therapy benefits to swimmers

Cupping helps swimmers to stretch and loosen their muscles as part of their training and recovery process. It helps to improve and generate better blood flow within their muscles.

Cupping therapy side effects

The side effects of cupping include bruises, burns, some skin discomfort and the potential for mild discomfort.

Is cupping painful?

The cupping process itself is not a painful one. However, there could be some soreness and skin tightness from the circles.