Where do these red marks on the bodies of some athletes come from?

Since the beginning of the Paris Games, several athletes have appeared with purple circles on their backs or arms. These are marks left by the “cupping therapy” which should allow for better recovery.

Spectators and viewers of the Paris 2024 Olympics have certainly noticed these round red spots on the bodies of some athletes. Italian swimmer Nicolo Martinenghi has about ten on his back, as does Algerian boxer Mourad Kadi. A few years ago, swimmer Michael Phelps and footballer Karim Benzema also appeared on social media with these same purple circles.

Where do these spots come from? Are they due to an allergy or an illness? Internet users imagine causes as diverse as they are varied… These are in fact marks left by “hijama” sessions, also called “cupping” therapy, in other words in French, “suction cup therapy”. It is an ancestral Chinese technique based, therefore, on the use of suction cups.

“Cup cups have several effects, explains David Redrado, a sports osteopath whose “cupping therapy” is one of his specialties. First, there is a mechanical effect that is linked to the suction of the suction cup on the skin. This will create a topographic and local stretching at the level of the skin and the structures that are just below, that is to say the fascia, the muscles, etc. And there is also a hemodynamic aspect. The suction will create an influx of blood at the level of the area. This blood carrying nutrients, this will allow the area to recover more quickly.

“This can come into play during a healing or recovery phase between two swimming races.”

David Redrado, osteopath

to franceinfo

Are these effects scientifically proven? According to a study published in 2012 in the American scientific journal PLOS one, “cupping therapy” has an effect “potential” on acne, herpes or even facial paralysis. Can it also relieve pain? There is no evidence according to the National Council of the Order of Masseurs-Kinesitherapists.

“The Order issued an opinion (in 2021) on ‘cupping therapy’. Given that it is devoid of any proof of effectiveness, it is not, in terms of ethics, good practice. It is not based on science. Ethics require all physiotherapists to act according to scientific data, so this opinion from the Order says that it should not be done, or even prohibited from being done. There are different risks. Creating a hematoma, in my opinion, is creating an injury. At these Games, I saw swimmers with circular hematomas on their backs and shoulders. Of course, this can be resolved, but it is still an injury.”believes Jean-François Dumas, secretary general of the National Council of the Order of Masseurs-Physiotherapists.

“Is it useful to do this if there is no effect behind it? I don’t think so.”

Jean-François Dumas, from the Order of Physiotherapists

This therapy is practiced by osteopaths, acupuncturists or naturopaths. On the other hand, the technique of “wet cupping” is illegal in France. This involves making an incision in the skin before applying the cupping.