If you ’re see the swim event in the 2024Summer Gamesin Paris , you may be wondering why some Olympians are boast circular bruises . Do Olympian pools have predatoryoctopuses ?
Fortunately , no . The contusion are from a holistic practice call cupping , which uses low glass suck cup placed on targeted domain of the dead body in an endeavour to release tension from the muscles .
Some jock use an air pump seize to the cups , which create a pressurized situation that pulls on tender and tender muscles and tendons . During the 2016 Games in Rio , Olympic swim superstar Michael Phelpsutilizeda heat method , where a inflammable liquid - soaked cotton ball is set on flaming in the cup before being doused and applied to the skin . “ Wet cupping ” include a prick to pierce the tegument so rakehell flows into the cupful while it is suctioned to the body . “ Dry cupping ” does n’t break the skin , but both method acting get out those telltale circular marks .
In events where succeeder or unsuccessful person can be measured in lilliputian increments , it ’s not surprising athletes will turn to any likely advantage . But does cupping in reality exploit ? A trademark of traditional Chinesemedicine , its efficaciousness is still indecipherable . proponent like Gustavus Adolphus College swimming coach Jon Carlsonsaythe “ de - compressive ” nature of cupping — the suction lifts skin off brawniness and bone , which lets blood vessels expand and increase parentage flow for speedy healing — makes it beneficial . Because the body believes it might be hurt , it tantalise to attend to the problem .
It ’s a plausible theory , but with pain in the neck being a highly immanent sphere of research , few reliable studies exist . Anecdotal grounds paint a picture cupping may reduce pain in the ass or possibly aid with other condition , but there is n’t enough conclusive research yet , according tothe National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine .
Still , you ’ll in all likelihood see the marks on other jock : Gymnastshave been known to practice the proficiency .
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A interpretation of this story was bring out in 2016 ; it has been update for 2024 .
