Why Were Olympic Athletes & Other Celebs Spotted with Dark Red Circles on Their Bodies?

This year’s Olympics are now in full swing and it’s all eyes on the athletes.

From archery and shooting to athletics and gymnastics, there’s all kind of sports taking place across Paris, France, at the moment.

One fan-favorite sport to watch is the swimming, and this year there’s a whopping 854 athletes from 187 different countries competing.

But there’s a common theme you might have spotted with some of the swimmers and that’s the unusual dark red circles they have on their backs.

Swimmer pictured at Tokyo 2020 with circular bruising. (OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

While it might look like they’ve had a fight with an octopus and lost, there’s a very different reason for the odd markings.

It turns out that the large spots are from cupping therapy – an ancient healing technique that involves placing cups on the skin to create suction and increase blood flow to the area.

The unconventional method is supposed to help with muscle recovery and is used as a type of deep tissue massage.

Some athletes were spotted with cupping therapy bruises back at the Rio Olympics in 2016, and it’s still seemingly popular now.

Michael Phelps seen with cupping therapy bruises on his shoulders. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

Gymnast Alexander Naddour told USA Today back in 2016 that cupping was supposedly the ‘secret’ to his health.

He added: “It’s been better than any money I’ve spent on anything else.”

Away from the Games, basketball player Kyle Singler has also praised cupping therapy.

“The bruises do look more intense than what they actually feel like, but the benefit from it is really great,” he previously insisted.

Singler continued to tell Sports Illustrated: “You’re not necessarily getting the immediate response that you might want but over time it does help with recovery and loosening tissue and stuff like that.”

But does cupping therapy actually work according to experts? It’s seems as if the jury’s still out.

Experts are still unsure of the full benefits of cupping therapy. (Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)

According to Harvard Health, some studies have found that cupping might provide some relief for a number of musculoskeletal and sports-related conditions. The quality of this evidence was ‘limited’, however.

Elsewhere a 2022 review found that wet (as opposed to dry cupping) was effective for lower back pain.

While the bruises people get from cupping are pretty gnarly, the therapy is generally seen as safe to practice – even if people aren’t 100 percent on how affective it is.

“Most experts agree that cupping is safe. As long as those treated don’t mind the circular discolorations (which fade over a number of days or weeks), side effects tend to be limited to the pinch experienced during skin suction,” Harvard Health explains.

“It’s quite unusual that cupping causes any serious problems (though, rarely, skin infections have been reported).”

There you have it, folks.

You Won’t Believe Kelly Clarkson’s Controversial Parenting Method!

In a straightforward radio interview, Kelly Clarkson, a proud mom to River Rose, 8, and Remy, 6, openly talked about her approach to disciplining her children, including spanking. This has sparked a lot of debate as parenting styles vary widely.

Clarkson, a famous figure in entertainment who recently received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, has been vocal about her choice to use spanking as a part of her parenting strategy. She explained that her upbringing and the cultural factors around her have shaped her perspective on this matter.

Kelly Clarkson’s recent statement that she’s “not above spanking” her children has sparked both approval and concern in a society where ideas about raising children vary widely and people feel strongly about their beliefs.

“I don’t mean hitting her,” she clarified, emphasizing that her goal isn’t to hurt her children but to use physical punishment in a controlled way. “I just mean a little spanking,” she further explained.

However, spanking has many critics. The American Academy of Pediatrics, a respected organization focused on children’s health, has clearly stated that spanking doesn’t work well and can harm a child’s well-being.

Even though experts advise against it, some parents still believe in using spanking as a form of discipline.

Kelly Clarkson’s support for spanking comes from her upbringing in Texas, a state with diverse cultural influences. “I’m from the South, y’all, so we get spankings,” she said, highlighting how regional and cultural backgrounds shape her views.

She openly talked about her own childhood experiences, saying, “My parents spanked me, and I turned out okay.” She believes spanking helped teach her important values and build her character, contributing to who she is today.

However, Kelly Clarkson faces challenges when she has to discipline her children in public because people might criticize her parenting style. “It’s tough to do in public because then people think it’s wrong,” she explained.

Despite potential criticism, she stands by her belief that spanking can be a valid way to discipline kids. “I believe in spanking,” she said, “so you might see me spanking my child at the zoo.”

Clarkson’s approach includes giving her children a warning, aiming to balance discipline with communication. “I’ll say, ‘Hi, I’m going to spank you on your bottom if you don’t stop right now. This is ridiculous,’” she explained, stressing the importance of talking openly during discipline.

She believes this method has helped reduce unwanted behavior.

The debate over Kelly Clarkson’s discipline method reflects larger discussions about different parenting styles and individual rights. While some support her approach, others advocate for non-physical methods.

In a community that values sharing experiences and open communication, it’s important to respect parents’ choices while also considering what’s best for their children’s well-being and growth.

In essence, Kelly Clarkson’s honesty about spanking has sparked a complex debate that shows the diverse ways parents approach raising their children.

As society changes, our ideas about good parenting evolve, and it’s important to have diverse perspectives that contribute to our collective understanding of parenting.

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