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Tokyo 2020: What are the dark circles on the swimmers’ backs?

As the swimming competitions get underway at the Tokyo Olympic games, many athletes from across the world have debuted bodies covered in strange dark circles as they dive into the pool.

It is not the first time the painful-looking splotches, which were seen on the backs of both Japanese swimmer Akira Namba and Team Australia’s Kyle Chalmers, have been spotted at the Olympics.

In 2016, the dots could be seen all over gold medalist Michael Phelps’ back as he raced through the water, while Team US gymnast Alex Naddour had similar spots on his shoulders.

The marks come from a process known as cupping, an ancient therapy that has roots in Middle Eastern and Asian cultures. The practice claims to have myriad benefits, such as increasing blood circulation, relieving muscle tension and promoting cell repair, however scientific evidence of its benefits is slim.

Here’s everything you need to know about the treatment.

Cupping is a type of alternative therapy that involves creating suction on the skin using glass, ceramic, bamboo or plastic cups. A negative pressure is created inside the cup by attaching a suction device to the cup once it’s placed on the skin, drawing out the air.

By pulling on the skin in this way, the process is thought to decompress the muscles and connective tissue and promote blood flow to the suctioned area, subsequently speeding up the body’s own healing processes.

There is also another lesser-used form of cupping, known as “wet cupping”. In this process, a milder suction is used on the cup, which is left in place for a slightly longer period. After removing the cup, the therapist uses a small scalp to make tiny cuts across the skin. A second suction is then performed to draw out small quantities of blood.

One study, published in the Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies in 2018, found that wet cupping had reduced the amount of toxic metal in the blood.

Where does cupping originate from?

The origins of cupping are unclear. Wet cupping has been used in traditional Iranian medicine throughout history, with the belief that it may improve the appearance of scar tissue, and both wet and dry cupping has been performed in China since the 1950s.

However, its roots appear to be much older. The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, who practised around 400 BC, used cupping to treat internal disease; while Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad strongly recommended wet cupping.     

Why does cupping leave a mark?

The suction cup is only placed on the skin for a few minutes, but it is long enough to cause capillaries just below the surface to rupture, creating dark purple bruises under the skin.

How did cupping become popular?

Cupping was spotlighted at the 2016 Olympics when the dark red bruises left after the treatment were seen on gold medallist Michael Phelps’ back, shoulders and legs.

Speaking to Sky Sports at the time, he said he mainly gets the treatment on his shoulder because that’s where he usually hurts the most.

“That’s where I usually hurt the most [and] I’ve done it before meets, pretty much every meet I go to.

“I just asked for a little ‘cupping’ yesterday because I was sore and the trainer hit me pretty hard with one and left a couple of bruises,” he said.

However, Gwenyth Paltrow wants us to know that the actor turned lifestyle guru has been using the ancient treatment long before athletes at the Olympics.

“Suffice it to say, we at goop have been into cupping since – well, before Michael Phelps won his first gold medal,” she writes on the Goop website.

In 2004, she sported similar red blotches on her back while attending a film premiere in New York City.

Explaining her belief in the healing power of the treatment on Goop, the actress said: “Eastern medicine has a different approach than Western medicine – it’s more holistic. The root of the problem is addressed, as opposed to a symptom being attended to with prescription medication.”

What does science say?

There is no conclusive scientific evidence that proves cupping has any health benefits.

The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health concludes that “not enough high-quality research” has been carried out to allow conclusions to be reached about whether cupping is helpful.

One separate study, published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine in 2019, suggested that damage to the skin and capillary vessels from cupping may stimulate a process in the body that inhibits pain.

However, the study’s authors noted that “large randomised clinical trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses in future” are needed to reveal its full effects.

While the NHS does not list cupping as a treatment on its website, the treatment is legal in the UK and can be carried out by practitioners certified by the General Regulatory Council for Complementary Therapies.

England to scrap quarantine for fully vaccinated EU and US citizens from Aug 2

Fully vaccinated EU and US citizens will be allowed to enter England without having to quarantine from Aug 2, ministers have decided.

On Wednesday, the Cabinet's Covid-O committee agreed to open the borders to double-jabbed citizens from the US and EU countries, most of which are on the amber list, from next month.

The move follows warnings that the UK risked falling behind the EU, which has already largely opened up to citizens from the US and other countries.

Research from the World Travel and Tourism Council suggests the economy is losing £639 million a day because of the squeeze on inbound tourism. 

The current exemptions from quarantine for double-jabbed travellers from amber list countries currently only cover Britons who have been vaccinated by the NHS.

Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, has also announced that international cruises will restart, although travellers have to abide by the rules of the traffic light system for any amber or green country they visit.

In a statement, Mr Shapps added: "We've taken great strides on our journey to reopen international travel and today is another important step forward.

"Whether you are a family reuniting for the first time since the start of the pandemic or a business benefiting from increased trade - this is progress we can all enjoy.

"We will of course continue to be guided by the latest scientific data but thanks to our world-leading domestic vaccination programme, we're able to look to the future and start to rebuild key transatlantic routes with the US while further cementing ties with our European neighbours."

The extension of the exemption to US and EU citizens means they will no longer have to self-isolate but, like returning Britons, will still have to pay for PCR tests on or before day two of their arrival in the UK.

Expats who are double jabbed will also be entitled to the same exemption from Aug 1. Countries beyond the EU and US could be allowed quarantine-free inbound travel at a later date.

Since July 19, fully vaccinated UK residents have been allowed travel to and from countries on the Government’s amber list without quarantining on their return. However, the right was denied to those who were inoculated outside the UK. 

Under the new plans, the Government will recognise vaccine credentials issued specifically in the EU and US for the first time, including the EU's digital Covid certificate. It will initially apply only on entry to England, but the devolved administrations are likely to follow.

It follows a trial by Heathrow, British Airways and Virgin, which found the practical difficulties of verifying vaccination status were overcome in 99 per cent of cases, amid concerns over the complexities of different US states' paper and digital certificates. The results have been submitted to the Government.

John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow's chief executive, said: "The vaccine has been a miracle of science, and these trials have shown that we can allow fully vaccinated passengers from the EU and US to visit the UK without quarantine. There is now no reason to delay with rolling out the solution from July 31."

Sir John Bell, Regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, said people who were double vaccinated were protected, adding: "It is as simple as that, and we should be pushing open the door much more widely."    

"Whether you are a family reuniting for the first time since the start of the pandemic or a business benefiting from increased trade - this is progress we can all enjoy.   

"We will of course continue to be guided by the latest scientific data but thanks to our world-leading domestic vaccination programme, we're able to look to the future and start to rebuild key transatlantic routes with the US while further cementing ties with our European neighbours."

The extension of the exemption to US and EU citizens means they will no longer have to self-isolate but, like returning Britons, will still have to pay for PCR tests on or before day two of their arrival in the UK.

Expats who are double jabbed will also be entitled to the same exemption from Aug 1. Countries beyond the EU and US could be allowed quarantine-free inbound travel at a later date.

Since July 19, fully vaccinated UK residents have been allowed travel to and from countries on the Government’s amber list without quarantining on their return. However, the right was denied to those who were inoculated outside the UK. 

Under the new plans, the Government will recognise vaccine credentials issued specifically in the EU and US for the first time, including the EU's digital Covid certificate. It will initially apply only on entry to England, but the devolved administrations are likely to follow.

It follows a trial by Heathrow, British Airways and Virgin, which found the practical difficulties of verifying vaccination status were overcome in 99 per cent of cases, amid concerns over the complexities of different US states' paper and digital certificates. The results have been submitted to the Government.

John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow's chief executive, said: "The vaccine has been a miracle of science, and these trials have shown that we can allow fully vaccinated passengers from the EU and US to visit the UK without quarantine. There is now no reason to delay with rolling out the solution from July 31."

Sir John Bell, Regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, said people who were double vaccinated were protected, adding: "It is as simple as that, and we should be pushing open the door much more widely." 

Reference: The Telegraph: Charles Hymas  

Third of people now have serious health problems by 40s - see list of most common issues

More than a third of adults have multiple health problems by the time they get to their 40s and things are only 'getting worse', worrying research suggests.

A new study found that 34 per cent of people aged 46 to 48 have two or more long-term health conditions.

People from poorer backgrounds were more likely to face health troubles, it was also revealed.

Of the issues, at least one relates to a person's physical health by the time they reach middle age.

High-risk drinking is one of the most damaging, with 26 per cent feeling the effects.

Other problems include chronic back problems, mental ill-health, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and diabetes.

The study, published in the journal BMC Public Health, found that those who grew up in less well off families - defined by the father being unskilled - were 43 per cent more likely to have multiple long-term health problems in their late 40s than those who were wealthier. 

They were also almost 3.5 times more likely to suffer from mental ill-health and arthritis, research shows - and had around three times the risk of having poor mental health.

Experts also found a link between youngsters having issues in childhood, such as being overweight or internalising problems, and chronic health problems in midlife.

Lead author Dr Dawid Gondek, from University College London, said: "This study provides concerning new evidence about the state of the nation's health in midlife.

"It shows that a substantial proportion of the population are already suffering from multiple long-term physical and mental health problems in their late 40s, and also points to stark health inequalities which appear to begin early in   

childhood."

Professor George Ploubidis, also from UCL, said: "We found that adults from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, those who had been overweight or obese as children and those who had experienced mental ill-health as teenagers were all at increased risk of poor health later on.

"If these links reflect causal effects, policy and practice targeting these core areas in childhood and adolescence may improve the health of future generations and alleviate potential pressures on the NHS."

The researchers analysed data from 7,951 adults taking part in a British Cohort Study from when they were born.

At age the age of 46 to 48, in 2016-18, they took part in a biomedical survey, where nurses measured their blood pressure and took a blood sample to check for diabetes.

People were also asked about chronic physical health conditions, such as recurrent back problems, asthma, heart problems and arthritis.

Mental health and high-risk drinking were also examined through questionnaires.

The data showed that more than a quarter of people engaged in high-risk drinking, more than one in five -21 per cent - reporting recurrent back issues.

Just under a fifth - 19 per cent - were experiencing mental health problems.

One in six had high blood pressure, more than one in 10 - 12 per cent - were suffering from asthma or bronchitis, one in 13 had arthritis and one in 20 had diabetes in midlife, five per cent.

A previous major study on 1.7 million people in 2007 aged 45 to 64 put the figure for people suffering multiple health problems at 30%.

Dr Gondek added: "Compared to previous generations, it appears that the health of British adults in midlife is on the decline.

"With earlier studies finding links between poor health in adulthood and lower life satisfaction, lower earnings and early retirement, public health guidance should focus on helping the population improve their health in midlife so they can age better, stay economically active and continue to lead fulfilling lives."

The full list of most common issues

High-risk drinking

Back issues

Mental health problems

Asthma or bronchitis

Arthritis

Diabetes

Reference:: Mirror:  Jane Kirby & Sam Elliott-Gibbs  

Ronaldo's sister is in hospital with pneumonia after catching Covid

Cristiano Ronaldo's sister has been hospitalised with pneumonia due to complications in her fight against Covid.

Katia Aveiro, 43, revealed she was in hospital in her native island of Madeira in an Instagram post.

She is being treated at Dr Nelio Mendonca Hospital, the same place Cristiano's doting mother was taken for emergency surgery following her stroke last year.

Cristiano Ronaldo had a brush with Covid in October last year, testing positive for the virus twice, though he was asymptomatic.  

Now singer-turned-influencer Katia, who is now based most of the time in Brazil, said alongside a photo of her in bed attached to a drip: 'This is the last type of publication I would like to write.

'I tried not to do it in recent days, but as news travels fast, and out of respect for those who follow me and care for me and my loved ones, I will share with you the truth.

'I was caught by this damn virus. I tested positive on July 17 and have been self-isolating at home since.

'I was doing well with few symptoms and following protocol.

'Everyone at home kept away from mum and the videos I have published where I am outside were taken before I tested positive.

'Unfortunately last Friday I started to get worse.'

Admitting she had caught pneumonia as a result of the virus, she added: 'I was admitted to hospital and here I am, doing everything I should and recovering thanks God and thanks to the wonderful medical team here.' 

In October 2020 Portugese football authorities revealed Cristiano Ronaldo had tested positive for coronavirus.

He was reported to be asymptomatic but went into isolation. It came just days after the five-time Ballon d'Or winner played for Portugal against France in the Nations League and Spain in an international friendly.

Ronaldo immediately left the national team after returning his positive test.

Ronaldo's result prompted another round of tests for the rest of the squad, who all tested negative.

UEFA allowed Ronaldo to take a new test just 48 hours before the game - due to his very low viral load - but the striker recorded another positive result.

He also displayed no symptoms when he tested positive for a second time.

Last October Katia made headlines after appearing to rubbish Cristiano's coronavirus positive result in a bizarre rant.

She vented her rage after it emerged the Juventus forward had asked another lab to test him for Covid after two positives at the laboratory the Portuguese FA use.

Another non-lab test after his first positive was said to have come back inconclusive when she made her comments.

She subsequently struck a calmer note by insisting on social media she respected coronavirus but claimed there were other illnesses and health problems that should be respected in the same way.      

She said at the time: 'I really respect this virus and I would never say the opposite.

'But I don't agree with bringing the world to a halt.

'There are people who have stopped working, there are people with psychological problems, and people who are feeling suicidal.

'This also has to be respected. I want everything to return to normal and God to protect us from human evil.'Read more

Reference: Gerard Couzens and Henry Martin For Mailonline