RHYTIA gliding across the upper back

Cupping in the USA: from premiere photos to Rio

Cupping went mainstream in the United States in two bursts. The first was in 2004, when round marks on actress Gwyneth Paltrow's back appeared in premiere photos. The second was in August 2016, when Michael Phelps and other Team USA athletes were seen at the Rio Olympics with large circular marks and the whole world asked what they were.

2004: the premiere photos

HuffPost UK later wrote that Paltrow first brought cupping to wide attention in 2004, when she attended a premiere and accidentally revealed the mystery marks on her back.

The Hektoen International journal says other celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston, were later photographed with similar marks, which kept the practice in the gossip pages. We are describing what was photographed and reported. We are not repeating what anyone said cupping did for them.

August 2016: the Rio pool deck

On the Sunday of the first week of the Rio 2016 Games, Team USA won the men's 4x100 metre freestyle relay and Phelps picked up his 19th Olympic gold. Viewers noticed round, dark marks on his back and shoulder. Eurosport (now TNT Sports) reported that swimmer Natalie Coughlin had shared similar pictures on social media more than two years earlier, and that gymnast Alex Naddour had posted a photo showing marks too. Belarusian swimmer Pavel Sankovich was also pictured using cups.

The guessing was part of the story. ABC News in Australia noted that the guesses ranged from sporting accidents to sleeping on a pile of medals. NBC News carried a video explainer on 9 August, and Science Museum curator Jack Mitchell wrote on 11 August that the circles were from cupping and not love bites.

A few details from the reporting are worth keeping:

  • Mental Floss said Phelps used the heat method: a cotton ball with a flammable liquid is lit inside the cup, put out, and the cup goes on the skin.
  • Some athletes use cups attached to an air pump instead of a flame.
  • The marks are round, and the colour ranges from pink to deep purple.

Spas in China noticed too. We cover that side in cupping in China.

From pool deck to wellness shelf

A JAMA Dermatology note on the Rio marks described cupping as an ancient practice that had recently gained popularity in the United States as a complementary practice. Since Rio, it has been easier to find on massage and wellness menus.

The cups themselves changed too. Alongside fire and glass came pump sets, silicone cups and battery-powered devices. The Science Museum in London now holds an electric dry cupping machine in its collection, which shows how far the cup travelled from horn and bamboo. You can find rechargeable models in shops and online, and plenty of people use them at home in the evening.

The RHYTIA massager is one of these. It has two modes, rhythmic cupping that pulses and gliding that moves over oiled skin, with a warm red glow when you switch the warmth on. If you want help choosing between devices in general, see how to choose a cupping massager.

Try it at home

The trend started on a pool deck. You can try the quiet version on the couch. Free shipping Australia-wide, 14-day refund.

Shop the RHYTIA massager

If you want the short version, a smart cupping massager lets you set the suction yourself, from 12 levels.

A note on those marks

The round marks that made the headlines are a normal skin response to suction. They are not a goal, and a lower setting and a moving cup keep them lighter. Our cupping marks explained guide goes through what to expect.

Common questions

Why did Michael Phelps have circles on his back at the Olympics?

They were marks left by cupping. NBC News, ABC News and the Science Museum all identified them as such in August 2016.

When did cupping first get famous in the US?

Many reports point to 2004, when Gwyneth Paltrow was photographed with marks on her back at a premiere. It grew much bigger after the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Did other athletes use cupping at Rio?

Reports named swimmer Natalie Coughlin and gymnast Alex Naddour, and Belarusian swimmer Pavel Sankovich was also pictured with cups.

Are electric cupping devices the same as a fire-cupping set?

The suction idea is the same, but a device uses a small pump instead of a flame, so the strength is adjustable. Smart cupping vs traditional cupping sets compares them.

Who should check first before using one at home?

If you are pregnant, have a pacemaker or another implanted device, have a health condition or take blood thinners, check with your GP first.

Further reading

RHYTIA is a massager for general relaxation and comfort. It is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition.

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