The Round Marks on a Swimmer's Back: Cupping Explained — Epoche A2
Those dark round marks on the backs of swimmers, builders and grandmothers across China are not bruises from an accident. They come from cupping, called ba guan, in which a cup is fixed to the skin and pulls it upward. How does the cup stay on? The air inside is warmed with a flame, or drawn out with a small pump. As the air cools, it takes up less room, so the cup grips and the skin rises into it. Does it hurt? Not like a cut. It is a strong, heavy pulling for a few minutes. The dark ring appears afterwards and fades over some days. Why do people do it? Most often for a stiff neck and sore shoulders, and older people also use it when a cold is coming. An old Chinese medical saying runs: where there is free flow, there is no pain. Does it work? Many people say it eases them; doctors are still studying it. Both of those things can be said honestly at the same time. So when you see the circles at the swimming pool, do not ask who hurt that person. Ask who has a sore shoulder.