Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS
Late Sunday night Michael Phelps emerged from the ready room for the finals of the men’s 4×100 freestyle relay. The Greatest of All Time was bundled in a navy jacket before diving in for his debut at his fifth Olympic Games.
As Nathan Adrian barreled home to help Phelps secure his 19th Olympic Gold, all eyes were not on the anchor, but on the purple spots on Phelps’ shoulders as he leaned over the block, cheering his teammate to the wall.
As the world wondered “What are those dots?” Swimming World provided the answers.
Photo Courtesy: Isthmus Acupuncture
“Cupping Therapy: Demystifying the Circular Bruises” was published in January 2015 and explained the phenomena.
De-compressive in nature, the way cupping therapy works is that it “employs suction to tug on the tightest muscles, stretching the fascia. The vacuum lifts the skin off the muscle or bone, allowing the blood vessels to expand and more blood to flow to the targeted area.”
The increased blood flow to the targeted area is believed to help the body recover faster.
After his prelims race in the men’s 200 fly—Phelps earned the fifth seed for the semifinals—the first question asked to Phelps involved cupping, which Phelps explained was a part of his pre-meet routine.
“I’ve done it for awhile. I haven’t had bad ones for awhile,” Phelps said.
He added that he typically does it on his right shoulder because “that’s where it hurts the most.”
- OFFICIAL SITE FOR RIO
- RIO COMPETITION SCHEDULE
- WHERE TO WATCH LIVE VIDEO OF OLYMPICS
- USA MEN'S SWIMMING TEAM
- USA WOMEN'S SWIMMING TEAM
- USA DIVERS GOING TO RIO
- USA WOMEN WATER POLO TEAM
- SWIMMING MEDAL PREDICTIONS
- FULL DAY 1 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 2 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 3 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 4 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 5 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 6 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 7 RESULTS
- FULL DAY 8 RESULTS
- WOMEN'S 10K OPEN WATER RESULTS
- MEN'S 10K OPEN WATER RESULTS
- FULL OLYMPIC SWIMMING RESULTS
It works for me
They do look a lot like love bites though
En que lugar quedo
Kate O’Sullivan here ya go ”nice shoulder”
Ahahahahhahaha you’re so kind
as always ahhaha
Sound familiar Dr. Bruce Walker?
I am amazed at how many people use this great therapy with success and now it’s out in the news because of Michael Phelps. Others render an opinion about cupping being a waste of time with no basis in clinical experience on how well it works.
Lisa Byrd Kevil
CJ Brincefield
Gretchen Morgan
Shahy Hantera Soly Hantera
I love an athlete who try’s anything to heal quicker the honest way! No HGH’s or steroids! Bravo?
I’ve been amazed all day that this “news” has been today on BBC etc since cupping is an ancient traditional thing outside of swimming
It’s just a con. Does absolutely nothing. And if you think it cured you, it’s because there was nothing wrong in the first place.
Says the guy sitting in his armchair about the most decorated Olympic swimmer in history.
Wrong…
You can have your own opinions, but not your own facts. All those swimmers have wasted valuable time while some idiot is raking money in.
I’ll not post a picture of what can happen when cupping goes wrong, but it’s enough to keep anyone out the pool. How would you feel about it then?
Nguyen Ngoc Han have seen many swimmers with cupping marks on their backs and arms!?
I bet he like it?
I saw 1 doctor have that before ?
Nguyen Ngoc Han lol. I just got that!!!!
In the fens we call them Fen Fairy Bites. Look like some loved up fan has been love biting him all over – got him lots of attention though
I won´t feel bad showing my cupping bruises anymore!
Cupping rocks!
Jean-Marc Soulas the next recovery strategy
Great therapy! It works!
Really can’t believe this is newsworthy.
Anthony Maiorano III
Melissa Endsley
Laurie Ann O’Shea
Hes nuts!
Fads and gimmicks. I would think Phelps of all people would be above this nonsense.
That’s ventusa?☺??
I’m a masters swimmer in my sixties and cupping definitely helps me.