During the 2016 Olympics, Michael Phelps was spotted with some brownish circular marks on his back. Chinese people and those who have been to China would know right away what those are – cupping marks. Yes, even Michael Phelps believes in the traditional Chinese therapy of fire cupping.

Fire cupping as a Chinese therapy for well-being

Fire cupping or loosely referred to as just “cupping” is an ancient process which involves a local suction created (usually) on the back. Practitioners believe it mobilizes blood flow, promotes healing, and treats respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis and even the common cold. It is really popular among the locals and some consider it necessary to get this Chinese therapy once a week.

I have been living in China for a couple years now and have never tried cupping for some reason, but I thought this would be the best time to try it especially since even Michael Phelps is doing it (he’s a swim legend!). And who knows, fire cupping could be the next “in” thing.

In all honesty, I had my doubts

Admittedly, I don’t know much about Chinese therapy and medicine in general, or any medicine at all for that matter. Besides, I wasn’t convinced that this would do me any good. Nevertheless, I’d heard from one of my Chinese teachers at That’s Mandarin that it was a popular treatment among the Chinese. Since I’m almost always up for a new experience, I decided to give it a try.

I was quite looking forward to this bizarre, exotic practice of having jars placed along my back to cause a suction so powerful I would be left bruised for several days. I convinced my friend to go with me, for moral support. The therapist entered the room rolling a small, squeaky trolley with a number of fist-sized jars stacked on both shelves. I must admit I was quite excited. After all, it was moments like this when I remember just how far I am from home, and how the act of placing fire filled jars on your back is quite different from the average Sunday night in rainy England.

She removed the jar after 3 minutes and I took a closer look at my leg. It wasn’t quite as bruised as I expected it to be, but it certainly did ache. Next she instructed me to lie on my front. As she began placing the jars on my back, I asked how long it would take. ‘Oh, maybe 15 minutes or so. Don’t worry,’ she reassured ‘you’ll be ok’. That’s when the fun began – fun for my friend sitting next to me of course.

The first cup went on and it felt like the skin was being pinched and twisted. While I let her know the lack of comfort I was feeling, she asked if it was too painful and if I would like it to be removed. Obviously I had paid for the treatment so I had to go through with it. What’s more, I didn’t want to come across as a fragile weakling either, so I did what any normal Brit would do: kept calm and carried on.

It felt like forever

I now asked again, just for my own reassurance, if I had heard right the first time – that the process would last a full 15 minutes. ‘Well, normally it is 15 minutes’, she said with a laugh, ‘but your skin has too much moisture, so I think 5 minutes should be enough’. It was around the 4 minute mark that my friend laying down on the bed beside me let out a huge laugh and exclaimed how far my skin had risen inside the jars. ‘It looks…awful,’ he stated.

As I became more and more worried that my delicate, over-moist skin would be damaged for life, the therapist returned and peeled off the jars one by one. Looking back, this was perhaps the best part of the treatment.

I asked if they could take a photo of my new back, and they kindly agreed. My friend was right: it did look awful. As I carefully slid my clothes back on, the lumps were plainly visible and protruded out of my shirt. ‘Don’t shower tonight’ they finally warned, and I explained that I wouldn’t be showering any time soon.

Finally we got back and I decided to sleep. It was impossible to lie on my back and I spent the whole night going from front to side.

The aftermath

With it now being a week since my Chinese therapy, the red circles have finally gone, but as for the health effects, I really don’t notice any difference. One thing I will say is that if you are here in China and have the opportunity go for fire cupping therapy with a friend, you should seize it. Not only may you never get another chance to do it, but bear in mind that it may be much less painful for you than it was for me (this has nothing to do with me being a weakling. It’s just the excess moisture…*ahem*).

Additionally, it was extremely entertaining for my friend when they slapped the jars on my back, but even funnier when it was his turn and I got to witness him getting a taste of his own Chinese medicine.

My conclusion

All in all, the treatment didn’t leave me feeling particularly fresh, healed or invigorated, but instead gave me a sore, unsightly back. It was certainly a worthwhile experience though. At least now I can say I’ve embraced the Chinese culture by trying a Chinese therapy. And I guess the only thing left for me to try is acupuncture. But then again, maybe not… And not even Michael Phelps would be able to convince me.

Learn some Chinese phrases

If you do decide to brave the cups of fire, here are some useful words and phrases. While they may not take away the pain, they will set you on your way to having a real conversation with a real Chinese person:

• 火 (huǒ) fire
• 拔罐 (báguàn) (to do) fire cupping
• 出痧 (chū shā) ailments
• 受寒 (shòu hán) to catch a cold
• 上火 (shàng huǒ) to light a fire

我发烧了，我想拔罐
(Wǒ fāshāo le, wǒ xiǎng báguàn)
I have a fever, so I’d like to try the fire cupping

感觉很好
(Gǎnjué hěn hǎo)
It feels great

还可以
(Hái kěyǐ) it feels ok

我觉得不太舒服
(Wǒ juéde bú tài shūfu)
It feels too uncomfortable

还有多长时间
(Hái yǒu duōcháng shíjiān?)
Is it nearly finished?

出了很多痧
(Chūle hěn duō shā)
Many toxins have come out of your back

我下次应该什么时候再来?
(Wǒ xià cì yīnggāi shénme shíhou zài lái?)
When should I return for my next session?

下次我只按摩，谢谢
(Xià cì wǒ zhǐ ànmó, xièxie)
Next time I’ll just have the massage, thanks

Author
Thomas M.
A foreign student who’s lived in China for 3 years