If you’ve been watching the Summer Olympics you might have noticed that some gymnasts and swimmers from the U.S. team are sporting perfectly round purple bruises on their shoulders and back. No, U.S. Olympic coaches haven’t resorted to using secret sadistic training methods in order to get the most out of their athletes. Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, and many other U.S. Olympic athletes have taken to using “cupping” as a way of accelerating their bodies healing process. Sometimes when you use this type of alternative therapy, it’s going to leave a mark.
Cupping increases blood flow and “energy” to a specific part of the body, helping to speed up the recuperation process.