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.
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.
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.
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.
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Argue Publicly on the Street, Caught Swearing on Camera!
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s typically glamorous lifestyle took an unexpected turn when they were involved in a heated argument on the street, shocking fans and onlookers. The tense exchange offered a rare, unscripted glimpse into the challenges faced by one of Hollywood’s most iconic couples.
Photographers and passersby quickly captured the confrontation, with videos and images spreading across social media, showing the pair in a far more unguarded moment compared to their polished red-carpet appearances.
While public arguments between celebrity couples often make headlines, this altercation surprised many, given the couple’s usual composed image. “Seeing Jennifer and Ben fight in public reminds us that even celebrities experience the same relationship struggles as the rest of us,” commented a celebrity relationship expert, underlining the unexpected nature of the incident.
Reports suggest that the argument escalated, with both exchanging heated words and profanity. Witnesses described the scene as intense, as the couple’s frustrations boiled over in a very public setting. “Public couples are under immense pressure. It’s not unusual for tensions to rise, but when it happens in the open, it becomes a spectacle,” noted a relationship counselor, hinting at the complex dynamics in their relationship.
Social Media Reactions: Fans and Critics Weigh In
The altercation sparked a storm on social media, with fans and critics alike sharing their thoughts. Conversations ranged from concern for the couple’s well-being to discussions about the difficulty of maintaining a relationship under constant public scrutiny. “Social media shapes public opinion, and reactions to this incident reflect a mix of empathy and judgment,” said a social media expert, pointing to the broader conversation around fame and relationships.
Aftermath: How the Couple Is Handling the Situation
In the wake of the public spat, both Jennifer and Ben’s publicists acknowledged the incident but emphasized the importance of privacy while they work through their issues. “Celebrities are vulnerable after such public confrontations,” noted a public relations consultant. “The public is now waiting to see how they will respond—whether it’s through a joint statement or by remaining silent.”
Conclusion: Behind the Glamor
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s public argument is a reminder that even the most seemingly perfect relationships have their struggles. Their unscripted street fight pulls back the curtain on the complexities of love, fame, and the delicate balance celebrities must navigate in their personal lives under constant public scrutiny.
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