Story highlights Olympians Michael Phelps and Alex Naddour spotted with circular cupping marksCupping is ancient therapy used to relieve pain(CNN) Those dark red spots dotting Olympians' shoulders and backs are not cigar burns. Olympians at Rio have taken to cupping -- an ancient therapy that have mostly been used in Middle Eastern and Asian countries, especially China. Viewers watching the Olympics this weekend may have spotted the pepperoni-like bruises on athletes and wondered: What is that? Michael Phelps, US gymnast Alex Naddour and Belarus swimmer Pavel Sankovich have all posted pictures of their polka dotted limbs and backs. The therapy consists of having round glass suction cups that are warmed, then placed on sore parts of the body.

Source: CNN August 08, 2016 06:37 UTC