When 19-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps stepped onto the pool deck at the Rio Olympics with red, circular welts dotting his back and shoulders, the world took notice.
These marks weren’t battle scars from grueling competitions but the telltale signs of cupping therapy, a traditional healing technique that has been practiced for thousands of years in Asia.
American swimmer Natalie Coughlin and other top-tier athletes have also embraced this ancient practice, sparking curiosity about its potential benefits.
Cupping therapy involves the use of suction cups to create localized pressure on the skin, often leaving distinctive red or purple marks.
Its proponents claim it can relieve pain, muscle tension, and even chronic ailments, but does the science support these claims?
While the tradition has deep cultural roots, its effectiveness remains a hotly debated topic in the medical community.
Let’s dive deeper into this intriguing practice and explore the balance between ancient wisdom and modern skepticism.
What Is Cupping Therapy and How Does It Work?
Cupping therapy has been part of traditional medicine systems, especially in China, for over 2,000 years.
Practitioners believe it mobilizes blood flow, enhances energy circulation, and promotes healing.
The therapy can be performed in various ways, but the concept remains consistent: creating suction on the skin.
Traditionally, practitioners use a burning cotton ball to heat the air inside a glass cup, creating a vacuum as the air cools.
The suction draws the skin upward into the cup. Modern variations often replace heat with pumps to achieve the same effect.
The result is a series of red, swollen welts where the cups were applied.
While the marks look severe, they are usually painless and fade within a few days. However, not everyone finds the experience comfortable.
Hannah Hope, a reporter for the Mirror, described it as feeling like “a pocket of my skin was being sucked by a vacuum cleaner and pinched with an elastic band.”
The suction is said to promote blood flow and stimulate a mild immune response.
Kathleen Lumiere, an assistant professor of acupuncture and oriental medicine at Bastyr University, noted in a 2012 interview with The Wall Street Journal that cupping could create conditions for healing by increasing circulation in targeted areas.
The Evidence (or Lack Thereof) Supporting Cupping Therapy
Despite its widespread use, cupping therapy remains on shaky ground scientifically. Many studies on its benefits lack rigorous design, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions.
A 2012 study published in PLoS One reviewed 135 trials of cupping therapy conducted between 1992 and 2010.
The researchers found that while cupping showed potential in treating specific conditions, such as herpes zoster (shingles), the evidence for broader applications was inconclusive.
Romy Lauche, a scientist at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany, emphasized the need for caution.
“The studies are very preliminary. We cannot say it has proven its efficacy,” she stated in the same Wall Street Journal article.
Still, anecdotal evidence and cultural tradition continue to drive its popularity.
In China, for instance, cupping is so commonplace that it’s performed by street vendors in Yunnan Province, according to the Associated Press.
Challenging the Modern Assumption
Here’s where the conversation takes a sharp turn: Is the allure of cupping therapy rooted more in belief than in biology?
Critics argue that the placebo effect might be the driving force behind its perceived benefits.
The placebo effect is a well-documented phenomenon where patients experience real improvements in symptoms simply because they believe they are receiving treatment.
Studies have shown that people who think they’ve consumed caffeine or morphine report reduced fatigue or pain—even when given a sugar pill.
“A psychological edge and the confidence that comes with it may be all someone needs to hurl a javelin further than their opponent or to spike that volleyball one final time,” notes Kevin Loria, a journalist for Business Insider.
This perspective casts doubt on whether cupping’s benefits are physiological or psychological.
Cupping isn’t the first alternative therapy to gain traction among athletes without robust scientific backing.
In the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, for instance, athletes were seen wearing Kinesio tape, a brightly colored adhesive strip claimed to support muscles and reduce pain.
Developed by Japanese chiropractor Kenzo Kase, the tape is said to work by lifting the skin microscopically, improving lymphatic drainage.
Yet, like cupping, the science behind Kinesio tape is sparse.
John Brewer, a sports professor at the University of Bedfordshire, told the BBC that there’s no firm scientific evidence to suggest Kinesio tape enhances performance or prevents injuries.
“Personally, I think [the tape] is more of a placebo effect,” he said.
Why Athletes Continue to Embrace Cupping
If the benefits of cupping therapy are largely unproven, why do elite athletes flock to it? The answer lies in a combination of tradition, experimentation, and psychology.
Athletes are constantly searching for an edge—whether physical or mental.
In a high-stakes environment like the Olympics, even a perceived advantage can make a difference.
Treatments like cupping, Kinesio tape, and copper bracelets (popular among athletes in 2009) often serve as confidence boosters, helping athletes feel more prepared to perform at their peak.
Additionally, the visible marks of cupping have become a badge of honor for some athletes, signaling their dedication to recovery and performance.
When someone like Michael Phelps endorses a practice, it inevitably sparks curiosity and imitation among fans and fellow competitors.
Tradition Meets Modern Skepticism
While cupping therapy’s roots run deep, its scientific foundation remains shaky.
Its proponents argue that it offers pain relief, promotes healing, and enhances performance, but the evidence suggests these effects may be more psychological than physiological.
This doesn’t mean cupping lacks value. The placebo effect is a powerful tool, and if athletes believe cupping helps them perform better, it may indeed give them an edge.
However, it’s essential to approach such treatments with a critical eye and recognize their limitations.
In the words of Kathleen Lumiere, “We need more evidence. Until then, cupping should be seen as one tool in a broader toolkit, not a cure-all.”
Closing Thoughts
Cupping therapy embodies the intersection of ancient tradition and modern curiosity.
Its rise in popularity among elite athletes highlights the enduring appeal of alternative treatments, even in the face of scientific skepticism.
Whether you view it as a time-tested remedy or a placebo-driven trend, one thing is clear: cupping has sparked a global conversation about the ways we pursue healing and performance.
Ultimately, the red circles left behind by cupping are more than just marks—they’re symbols of a practice that has endured for millennia, inviting us to explore the delicate balance between belief and evidence.
