Fire Cupping

I finally got my massage in China.  My feet were barking and I welcomed the opportunity to be able to relax; or so I thought. I ended up getting more than I had bargained for.

Two undergraduate Korean students attending PKU referred me to a place just down the street on Chengfu Road for the best massage around - aka - affordable, ok,  cheap.  I happily chose the 90 minute package where I got my feet and body massaged.  Little did I know that the massage therapist would end up saying that I was out of balance and would need another therapy.  According to traditional Chinese medicine, each of us has a gas or energy inside us.  When in balance, we are fine. Unfortunately, mine was too hot. 

He recommended that I get a cupping session as fire cupping helps with the flow of Qi and blood.  So, I laid down as he lit 20 glass cups, suctioning them to my back for 10 minutes.  This supposedly helped to bring down the heat and get me back into balance. 

Uhhhh, OK.