Newsletter Newsletters Events Events Podcasts Videos Africanews
Loader
Advertisement

Michael Phelps's purplish circles and the ancient practice of cupping

Michael Phelps's purplish circles and the ancient practice of cupping
Copyright 
By Euronews
Published on
Share this article Comments
Share this article Close Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Copy to clipboard Copied

US swimmers Micheal Phelps may have won his nineteenth gold medal of his career, but many people seem to be more interested in those brown purplish circles on his…

ADVERTISEMENT

US swimmers Micheal Phelps may have won his nineteenth gold medal of his career, but many people seem to be more interested in those brown purplish circles on his body.

The marks show that the swimmer underwent treatment using the ancient Chinese practice of cupping.

Acupuncturist Erika Weber offers cupping to her clients.

“An athlete can benefit from cupping because it moves blood stagnation in the muscle layer,” says Weber. “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.”

Some doctors say the increased bloodflow from cupping allows the body to work better to resolve any issues.

The practice also popular in Hollywood. Justin Bieber, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston have all been spotted with deep red circles on their bodies.

Justin Bieber sports bruises from 'cupping' therapy during Bondi swim http://t.co/qfUdDqalbQ pic.twitter.com/SaZHGNEens

— Tima.•:**¨**:•. .• (`legilex) July 1, 2015

Go to accessibility shortcuts
Share this article Comments

Read more

Turkish police search for Russian swimmer who disappeared during Bosphorus race

More than 2,800 swimmers cross continents in Istanbul’s Bosphorus event

Heatwave fuels rise in wild swimming across Amsterdam