CHINA - CUP CUP AND AWAY

One dumpling, two dumpling, three dumpling - floor.

As soon as I landed in Beijing - China, after a delicious feast of dumplings to cure my Yum Cha cravings I had from missing home (Sydney - how ironic that the things I miss are asian cuisine), I set out looking for traditional Chinese remedies.


I became skeptical about purchasing cosmetics in China from articles I've read. China is the land of all things fake and hyper produced so I didn't feel right making any product purchases, especially any that involved testing on animals.
China is however highly regarded for its traditional medicines & therapies so I decided to give the art of 'cupping' a go 

 Disclaimer: pictures to follow are graphic and NSFW.

Initially I set out in search of Acupuncture as It's always been something I've wanted to try and after I've started getting a slight tingle in my lower back I've thought about natural therapies. I always look forward to my chiropractor visits, but wanted to try something a bit out of the norm.
Acupuncture is only done by licensed professionals within hospitals in China and I wasn't able to book an appointment with a reliable doctor that came with good credentials. So acupuncture will have to wait until next time.


I'd first heard about cupping a few years ago when celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Victoria Beckham had been papped with circle shaped bruises on their backs and shoulders. I decided to see what all the fuss was about and found a nearby massage parlour recommended by the hotel I was staying at and booked in for a massage followed by dry cupping - also known as Hijama. I wasn't sure what to expect and I'd been told that it didn't hurt.

Gwyneth's doing it..

Victoria Beckham's doing it... everybody's doing it!

After my massage had finished the therapist told me he was going to apply the first cup.
I heard the sound of a hissing lighter and the next thing I knew I felt a vacuum like suction and slight heat on my back. I winced at this new feeling. It felt a bit like I was being pinched. I tried to relax as the next glass cup went on. I could hear a suction "cupping sound" and felt more and more cups being applied to my upper & lower back and shoulders. Soon I felt like my entire back was pulled tightly however it was a peaceful type of pain. It was tolerable and felt as comforting as it hurt.
The therapist told me he had finished and to "wait while the bad toxins in your blood are removed" Hmmm ok. 

CUPS ON

So I lay patiently for what felt like 15 minutes and then the therapist started to remove the cups with a POPPING sound as each one came off. 
My back felt tender, especially after the massage and I couldn't wait to rush home and take some back selfies in the mirror to see how my newly cupped back was looking.

CUPS OFF

I had a little moment of shock and the first thought in my head was WHAT HAVE I DONE TO MYSELF?!
 I was expecting to feel lighter and refreshed like I'd had all the bad chi sucked out of my system. Instead my back hurt and felt very hot. I was drained and just felt like lying down in this heavenly bed:

Soon after my back was tender and remained so for the following 2 days. The marks are still very prevalent and I'm hoping they clear up before I go on annual leave next week. 

Cupping - Instagram style

There have been many formal studies conducted on the Chinese art of cupping however no proven benefits and in the same token, no negative side effects have been observed. Is this just a matter of your inner chi?


They say cupping has a detoxifying effect and is meant to restore the flow of healthy blood throughout the organs. It has also been used in ancient Egyptian and Greek traditional healing practices. 


I feel like this is a 'something to try once in your life' kind of procedure. I'm not noting any benefits, just some tough looking bruises peeping out of my shirt. Could this explain why I've been listening to a lot of 2Pac recently? A friend of mine noted that I looked like I was "taking the leopard print trend a little too seriously". Ok so the marks aren't in anyway attractive but do actually make me feel as though some sort of toxins were released.

iPhone case and bruises BTYB China. Thanks.

The therapist told me that the spots that appear redder and darker are the ones which contained the most toxins. For me this was in my shoulders, so does this mean I have bad shoulders? Bad blooded shoulders? They've always worked ok for me, so I'd hope not.


Has anyone else tried cupping or something similar before? Any noted benefits? 






GBI x