Michael Phelps from the U.S. competes in the men's 200m individual medley heats during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Swimming events at Olympic Aquatics Stadium at the Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 10 August 2016. (EPA/Xinhua)
BEIJING, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- If you have followed the Rio 2016 Olympics, you might have noticed something strange: a number of athletes, including U.S. gymnast Alex Naddour and swimming superstar Michael Phelps have dark purple circles on their backs and shoulders.
In fact, not just athletes but many celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston and Justin Bieber have been photographed with similar odd-looking marks on their skin.
What is this mad craze? Are they being attacked by mysterious creatures? Is this the latest tattoo fashion trend? Well, no. The marks are actually the result of an ancient Chinese healing practice called "cupping therapy."
What is "cupping therapy"?
Having been practiced in China for thousands of years, "cupping therapy" commonly involves practitioners placing a specialized cup on the skin. They use either heat or an air pump to create suction inside the cup, which draws the skin upwards into the cup and leaves those dark circles. The marks usually stay for about a week.
Demonstration time
To provide first-hand information, four Xinhua journalists recently had a whole session of cupping therapy at the Beijing International Acupuncture Center. The following is the complete procedure:
1. Tools: Dozens of glass cups, 95 percent alcohol, a lighter, and a stick attached to a cotton ball.
The cups are usually in the shapes of balls or bells, with plastic or glass the most common materials used today, replacing the horn, pottery, and bamboo used in earlier times.
2. Soak the cotton ball in alcohol, light it inside the cup and quickly remove it.
3. Tightly press the cup on the target area of the skin and let the suction inside pulls the skin upwards.
4. Leave the cups for about 10 minutes. Be careful not to leave them too long, otherwise the skin will blister.
5. Gently remove the cups, letting the patient lie still for a few moments. It's advised to keep warm and not to shower immediately (waiting at least three hours) after the therapy, to prevent catching a cold.
How does it feel?
The sight of scattered dark marks, especially fresh ones, may prompt many to think cupping is a scary or painful experience. But if done properly by a professional practitioner, it is better than you think.
One Xinhua journalist, who had the therapy, said it was almost painless. The moment the cup is pressed tight, the skin starts to feel like someone is pinching his back, like having a massage. Then, the pain and discomfort become so slight that he can even fall asleep.
Another Xinhua journalist who tried said that the feeling was not so much painful as itchy.
"At the beginning, it was like a thousand ants were biting my back. But it eased up later."
Why not have a try and find out yourself!
What does it treat?
While many are skeptical of cupping therapy, claiming its effectiveness lacks scientific evidence, others say it is the secret of their health.
U.S. gymnast Alex Naddour told USA Today that the therapy was "better than anything else I have spent money on."
"That's been the secret that I have had through this year, and it keeps me healthy," Naddour said, adding that it had saved him from a lot of pain.
The photo of Michael Phelps taking cupping therapy has earned nearly 30,000 likes on Instagram. (Instagram)
In another interview, Michael Phelps, who has been using cupping therapy for about two years, said it reduces his soreness.
Physiologically, cupping is believed to be effective in boosting blood circulation, relieving soreness and pain, and relaxing strained muscles. It is claimed that the darker the mark left by the cup, the poorer the blood circulation in that part of the body.
Wei Lixin is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and a teacher at the Beijing International Acupuncture Center. (Photo provided by the center)
Wei Lixin, who has over 22 years of experience in traditional Chinese medicine and is a teacher at Beijing International Acupuncture Center said that cupping therapy helps promote the circulation of blood and "qi" and is useful in a variety of ailments, including colds, muscle problems, pain relief, arthritis, insomnia, and cellulite.
Clinically, cupping and other techniques such as acupuncture are often combined to treat diseases.
Wei said that it is not only useful for athletes, but can also help people who have aches and pains from sitting in front of a computer for a long time everyday.
