Home Remedy... Cupping!

I can't believe I never wrote about this night!  I'm literally laughing as I type...  I found this picture on my computer and have to tell you about it!  One night, about 3 months ago, I sent Aaron to the dollar store to pick up a couple things and he came back with an "at home cupping system!"  It was a hilarious (and VERY painful) experience!

First, let me explain... Cupping is an ancient Chinese technique where glass cups are heated, from the inside, with fire, to create a vacuum, and then placed on an afflicted area of a patient's body.  The cup's suction pulls at the skin and is said to "suck out" the body's toxins!   I'm pretty sure this was not meant to be done at home!   

Regardless, Aaron and I thought it would be really funny to try it out!  This particular system had 8 plastic cups, all different sizes, with manual suction handles... The more you pushed it, the more your skin would rise!  This was the smallest of the bunch, and it hurt like hell!

If done correctly, the practice can actually relieve pains from edema, swellings, asthma, bronchitis, dull aches and pains, arthritis (HELLO MOM!), abdominal pain, stomachache, indigestion, headache, lower back pain, cramps and coughing.  

Usually more than 1 suction cup is placed on a person's body!  It usually looks more like this... (google picture)

... and yes, you will have bruises for at least a week, like this! (google picture)

Luckily, I didn't get a bruise from mine!  I left it on for 20 minutes and couldn't take it anymore!  It REALLY hurts!  It's an experience I won't soon forget though!  ***  And as a side note, I put that crazy cupping system near the trash last weekend, and it was taken within 10 minutes!  Silly Koreans!
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