CHENGDU, CHINA — A Chinese man was left with seven black holes on his back following cupping treatments.
The man, 63-year-old Li Lin from Chengdu, underwent a therapeutic cupping treatment after being told it would help with his back pain and stiffness. Lin received the treatment everyday from mid-May to mid-June.
The treatment, known in Chinese as “ba guan,” uses heated glass cups. The cups are suctioned on the patient’s skin, causing circular bruising that is believed to be the result of now mobilized and free-flowing blood.
After 10 days of treatment, Lin noticed blisters forming in the cupping areas. Instead of stopping treatment, Lin asked his wife to pop the blisters and rub oil onto them so he could continue the therapy.
Two days before the end of his treatment, Lin’s back pain worsened, and he developed a fever. His back was completely swollen and doctors discovered he had a bacterial infection that left large black holes in his back.
Doctors ordered Lin to stop the therapy. They said while cupping isn’t dangerous, it shouldn’t be done in the same place over extended periods of time.
