Okay, So What Exactly Were Those Purple Dots on Michael Phelps’s Back?

Last night, Michael Phelps won his 19th Olympic Gold medal, adding to his record total. But if you watched the race, surely you noticed those purple dots across his back. (You can also see one here on his shoulder.)

Turns out Phelps has been engaging in an ancient Chinese healing practice known as “cupping.” According to The New York Times, specialized cups are placed across the body, and then heat or air is used to create suction, which pulls skin away from the muscles.

Cupping, per the Times‘ report, is meant to reduce soreness and heal overworked muscles. Phelps has been experiencing soreness in those areas, and according to NBC, has been using the technique for a while.

If only if he’d done this during his first few Olympics…

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