It wasn't just Michael Phelps' big win on Sunday (July 07) that had people talking about the U.S. swimming star, it was also the dark purple circles on his shoulders.
Phelps, who won the 19th Olympic gold medal of his career in the 4x100 meters freestyle relay, practices "cupping," an ancient Chinese healing practice. And he's not alone. Several athletes have been seen with the distinct markings, including U.S. gymnast Alex Naddour.
During the therapy cups are placed on the section of the body in need of repair to create suction.
"An athlete can benefit from cupping because it moves blood stagnation in the muscle layer," said licensed acupuncturist Erika Weber, who performs the therapy on patients at her New York City clinic. "When there's blood stagnation, it causes range of motion issues, inflammation, so this helps bring it to the surface of the skin, so free flow of blood can move through the muscles and help move muscles more freely."
Weber said that there's been a surge of interest in cupping thanks to the Olympic Games.
"I posted this on Facebook last night when I saw Michael Phelps and actually four or five people reached out and said you know, I'd really like to try cupping now, I have a nagging injury. I have four or five people that came in today for cupping alone."
The therapy dates back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures. It has been less popular among more skeptical Western medical societies, but has gained notoriety in the past decade as celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Justin Bieber have been spotted showing off their cupping circles.
The American Cancer Society and other health organizations have said that there is no scientific evidence to prove cupping's effectiveness, but for those who seek it out, like patient Colette Magnam, it's an invaluable therapy.
"I have a neck and a back injury that can cause very, very tight muscles. It's a chronic condition, so with that, I find a lot of knots around my shoulder blades and I would say definitely the cupping helps to heal that process."
