Benefits of Cupping: All About The Circular Marks Spotted on Olympians

If you’ve been watching the Olympics, you’ve probably noticed the round, bruised backs of swimmers like Italian Nicolo Martinenghi (who won gold this year in the men’s 100m breaststroke) and the star of the Rio Olympics , Michael Phelps.

Cupping therapy, colloquially referred to simply as cupping, is an Eastern medicine practice beloved by professional athletes and the Goop set. But unlike other wellness practices, this one comes with an unusual party favor. “Think of cupping as a reverse massage,” says WTHN‘s chief healer and acupuncturist Dr. Laura Sniper, DAc, LAc, LMT. “Massage therapy is positive downward pressure on the muscles and fascia to stretch them and stimulate circulation. Cupping lifts and stretches the tissue by applying suction cups that apply pressure to the muscles and fascia and increase local circulation.”

The suction cups remain on the body for anywhere from five to ten minutes, causing the circular marks (which are similar to a bruise… or even a hickey) to appear. “The darker the spots, the more tension occurs in that part of the body,” says Sniper. “It generally means that the muscles in that area have been overworked for an extended period of time.”

Actor and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow was also an early adopter of cupping (and possibly the first time you ever heard of the practice). In 2006, she was spoon-fed at a movie premiere in New York City, although the celebrity obsession has passed on to stars like Jennifer Aniston and Hailey Bieber.

Athlete, celebrity or humble Fashion reader – Sniper says anyone can benefit from cupping therapy. “Anyone with muscle tension or body pain would benefit from cupping,” she says. “One cupping session provides immediate relief to your muscles and fascia. For athletes, I recommend cupping twice a month, especially during training seasons. For everyone else, once a month is a good pace, but you can always do it more often if you need relief from muscle aches or pains.