Cupping has been the talk of the Olympics, even though many people might not even know what it is. Many Rio 2016 viewers have noticed the circular bruise marks on many athlete's bodies, most notably Michael Phelps. No, these athletes were not attacked by an octopus, the victim of an enthusiastic hickey-giver, or any other strange theory. These athletes have been utilizing a type of treatment called 'cupping.'

Cupping involves heating the air inside dishes shaped like fishbowls using a flame. When the flame is extinguished, it creates a small vacuum, at which point the cup is placed on an area of skin, prompting blood to be pulled into the area, relieving pain and muscle tension. Think of it a little bit like an inside-out massage! Though some people may criticize the scientific merit, the world's elite athletes seem to be buying in.

This type of therapy is specifically known as dry cupping; wet cupping involves cutting the skin and actually releasing blood into the cups. It seems less popular with the Olympic crowd, for various reasons. Originating from Chinese medicine, it appears that many athletes are using it to boost their recovery during the last training sessions before Rio competition.

Cupping isn't just for Olympic athletes though - last May, during my spring season of volleyball, I experienced a back spasm. My athletic trainer used dry cupping to stimulate blood flow and help relieve some of the tension in my back. While I was left with a very large (and somewhat painful) bruise, it did help with my range of motion and muscle pain. The bruises faded in a few days, which is typical for the treatment.

While cupping might not catch on with the everyman, it can be a useful tool for elite professional athletes and college athletes alike. Next time you're experiencing some muscle pain, maybe you'll try out this treatment too!