Sexy Back

No, I don't have the world's worst case of bacne.

These are the side effects of having your chi warmed up with a traditional cupping therapy.

Last weekend, I went with Jess and Jess to Dragon hill spa, a huge public bath house with seven floors of facilities. Once you get into your pajamas you are free to use the internet cafe, swimming pool, saunas, karaoke rooms, arcade games, restaurants, snack bars, beauticians and massage parlours. You swipe your wrist band if you have to buy a service, and then pay as you leave. Families, couples and groups of friends often spend the whole day there together as there is so much to do.

Jess and I in the large family room.

If you want to use the baths you go to the female only area, strip down and scrub yourself fiercely before dipping in. In the outdoor courtyard you can choose from the ginseng bath, the kids rainbow bath, a bath made of a special wood, and a salt water bath. Indoor there are more baths of different temperatures, some with salt water. There is also a steam room and sauna. Obviously, there didn't take any pictures of this area, but you can see some here.

I went to one of the massage areas, and decided to get the cupping with a meridian massage - deciding against "face reduction management". The massage therapist seemed to magically straighten out my body, by twisting my arms and legs. Then, she got a torch and a lot of small ceramic cups. She put the flame into the cups and this caused a vacuum so they could be stuck along my meridian lines. It was more uncomfortable than painful, with the places with more muscle being the most painful. When they were removed I had shocking red swollen circle on my back, but very little pain.

Cups on my back

A second round on my back

On my stomach. It felt like my organ were being sucked in.

Since then I will occasionally be reminded of the experience when my back hits the back of a chair with a slight shock of pain. It is probably the most extreme form of massage I've had (which is saying something - I was once covered in chocolate mud). Maybe next time I'll gather the courage to get my face reduced.