Michael Phelps Sported Cupping Marks at the 2016 Rio Olympics: 7 More Stars Who Are Into the Practice

Cupping is an ancient Chinese tradition said to help detox the body, relieve pain and promote blood flow

By Maya Eliahou Aug 09, 2016 11:28 PMTags
Michael Phelps, 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, CuppingXavier Laine/Getty Images

Seeing spots?

So are we! If you were wondering about those marks on Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps' back during the 2016 Rio games, wonder no more.

Phelps is the latest in a long line of health-and-fitness-minded celebs to try cupping, an ancient Eastern practice said to help with everything from blood circulation to muscle pain, while also helping the body get rid of toxins.

It's no wonder the pro athlete was game to get the blood flowing before he hit the pool in Rio, but how does cupping work, exactly?

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As it turns out, those tell-tale circular spots come from tiny glass cups that create suction on the skin and remove toxins. Sometimes the cups break capillaries near the surface (like a bruise) and that's what leaves our favorite celebs polka-dotted and proud.

We already know Phelps and some of his fellow swimmers used cupping in the 2016 Summer Olympics due to those conspicuous spots, but he has also shared Instagram posts in the past that show the cupping process. 

Cupping has been tried by athletes and movie stars alike, and between Team USA and our favorite stars, it seems like lots of celebs have jumped on the cupping bandwagon. Check out who else has embraced the practice:

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Guess what other star cups? That's right, it's Justin Bieber!

The musician was spotted getting a massage and having a cupping session at the same time.

Just look at his face. This guy is a pro at relaxing!

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Actress Lena Dunham posted a mirror selfie sharing her cup marks with the world. The 27-year-old Girls star captioned the pic, "Da Cure."

The cure for what exactly, we don't know, but it must have helped enough so that she shared a picture of her spots!

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2016 U.S. Olympic Portraits
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Nicole Richie was also seen putting her spots on full display.

Evidence of cupping? Survey says...yes!

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Gwyneth Paltrow was one of the first movie stars to show her cupping marks in public.

Not only did it start a conversation about cupping, it also helped bring it into the limelight as an A-list activity. 

Although the evidence of cupping can look a little alarming, it hasn't stopped Hollywood's hottest celebs from going out in public and sharing photos of their perfect polka-dots.

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Coldplay singer Chris Martin was caught exercising with those telltale spots!

That's right, it looks like Martin, who was still married to Paltrow at the time, used cupping to relieve some lower back pain.

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Although cupping is used by the stars, it is also a favorite pain-relieving technique among athletes worldwide.

Check out this Instagram post from American swimmer and 12-time Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin, an avid supporter of cupping.

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Jennifer Aniston Shows Off Cupping Marks on Red Carpet
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And if you're still not convinced, look at Olympic swimmer Nathan Adrian's Insta-pic.

He was part of the gold-medal-winning relay team that scored Phelps his 19th Olympic medal on Sunday, so apparently the team that cups together...

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