What do the Cups do?

Why Do Olympic Athletes Have Red Circles on Their Back? Understanding Cupping Therapy


Have you ever watched the Olympics, especially swimming, and noticed those very noticeable red or purple circles on athletes’ backs?

Those marks are from cupping therapy.

And naturally, the question is…
why would anyone want that?

Why would someone choose a treatment that leaves marks like that?

Before we get into that, let’s first talk about what cupping actually is.

What Is Cupping Therapy?

At a glance, cupping therapy works by creating suction that lifts the skin and underlying muscle into a cup.

You’ve probably seen clips where a practitioner holds a glass cup in one hand and a flame in the other. The flame is briefly placed inside the cup, and then the cup is quickly applied to the skin. The heat creates a vacuum, which allows the skin and muscle to be gently “pulled” upward.


It’s definitely interesting (and honestly kind of fun) to watch.

But if fire isn’t your thing don’t worry.

The most common method used today involves plastic cups with a small pump, where we simply remove air from the cup to create that same suction effect. No fire involved.


So What Does Cupping Actually Do?

Now that we know what cupping is, let’s talk about what it does.

Cupping therapy helps:

  • Increase blood circulation

  • Reduce pain

  • Decrease inflammation

  • Release muscle tension

  • Support the body’s natural healing process

The suction draws blood to the surface by affecting tiny blood vessels called capillaries. This encourages fresh circulation to the area and helps speed up recovery.

Why Does It Work So Well?

A lot of common issues like; muscle tension, inflammation, and chronic pain often come down to one simple thing:

so to say "lack of movement in the body"

When muscles are tight, overused, or stressed, circulation slows down. Everything starts to feel stuck tight shoulders, sore backs, lingering pain that just won’t go away.

Cupping helps reverse that.

By creating suction, it:

  • Brings fresh blood flow to the area

  • Encourages movement in stagnant tissue

  • Loosens tight muscles

  • Helps the body start healing again



The Traditional Perspective

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this idea is described as stagnation.

When the flow of Qi (energy) and blood isn’t moving properly, the body starts to show signs like:

  • Pain

  • Tension

  • Inflammation

Cupping is used to restore that flow helping the body come back into balance and function the way it’s supposed to.

Why Does It Leave Marks?

Now back to the question from the beginning.

Those red or purple marks happen because the suction brings blood to the surface and causes those tiny capillaries to expand.

It’s not the same as a typical bruise it’s more of a sign that circulation has been brought to an area that needed it.

These marks usually fade within a few days to a week.

A Therapy Used Around the World

While cupping is often associated with Traditional Chinese Medicine, it’s actually been used across many cultures for centuries.

Today, it’s commonly used by athletes and everyday patients alike for recovery, pain relief, and overall wellness.

Is Cupping Right for You?

Cupping therapy can help with:

  • Back and neck pain

  • Shoulder tension

  • Muscle soreness

  • Sports recovery

  • Stress-related tightness

At our clinic, we often combine cupping with acupuncture and custom herbal medicine to get the best results possible.

Final Thoughts

Those marks you see on Olympic athletes might look intense, but they’re actually a sign that the body is working to recover and heal.

If you’ve been dealing with tight muscles, pain, or stress, cupping therapy might be exactly what your body needs.


📍 10441 Magnolia Avenue Suite B, Anaheim, CA 92804

📞 (714) 396-3475

📧 theakuclinic@gmail.com


Location: 10441 Magnolia Ave ste b, Anaheim, CA 92804, USA

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