WARNING: this is a post related to an experience in a Chinese massage center, it has only informational purpose and does not represent medical advice. It is your own responsibility to get informed about risks and benefits on your body of practices explained here with expert medical staff.
Massages are a very good gift to your body. Stress and toxins are part of us nowadays and sometimes you feel the need to wipe out all of them and to regenerate yourself. Traditional Chinese Medicine considers massages and therapies like cupping as something really useful in order to regenerate yourself.
But what’s exactly cupping? Some glass cups are applied on your body (typically on your back) and then, with the help of a flame, they are pressed until they make a strong suction effect on these areas of your body. This is considered something which helps blood flush regularly and most of all, which helps removing toxins from your body.
Western Science still looks at these ancient practices with some suspects, anyway there’s no need to worry, because the practice is safe. When on a trip to China, you could consider trying this (and before cupping, a Chinese or Thai massage), but also in many Chinatowns and areas in general in the world you can find Chinese massages and cupping.
The 天之道足浴 in Changsha, for example, is the place I have tried for massages and cupping. The place loooks very elegant and basically like a business hotel. Treatment starts with washing of feet, then you choose one of the various massages options. Finally, if you want, you can also have a cupping treatment.
The verdict? Practice is not painful (like someone believes), it is relaxing and yeah, you feel much more good and with energies after it. Of course keep in mind cupping leaves typical marks for some days (typically 10 days but it depends on the single person) and that if you are going to the gym, pool, beach or any other places in which it happens to change clothes or stay without t-shirt, people are surely going to notice your marks and maybe to ask you more about the treatment: this may still be unconfortable for someone who doesn’t want to show the marks, so if this is your case, make sure you don’t have to go to places like these in the next days following the cupping session. Also, make sure you are in good health and always refer to staff so that you can get treatment in total safety.
