Michael Phelps Sports Dark Bruises From Cupping
BOSTON (CBS) -- If you watched Michael Phelps swim his way to his 19th gold medal in the 4x100 freestyle relay, you might have noticed round reddish-purple marks on his back and on a few of the other swimmers as well.
These bruises are the result of an ancient Chinese therapy called "cupping". Suction is applied to draw the skin up into special cups, breaking small capillaries under the skin. The goal is to improve blood flow to sore, tired muscle, reduce pain, and speed healing.
Does it work? Many athletes, trainers, and celebrities swear by it, but the science behind it is thin. While it may be beneficial for some conditions, more comprehensive research is needed.
