That's gotta hurt!, a photo from Guizhou, Centre

Photographer's Note

Traditional medicine with a modern twist. This is "cupping". Burning medicinal herbs, or a candle flame are held inside a cup to heat the air. The cups are then placed on the body, the air cools creating a partial vacuum, and this draws blood to the afflicted area. The red areas are where cups have been applied. I had it done once; it hurt as much as it appears, but my sore back did feel better a day or two later.

The use of hypodermic needles to draw blood from between the knuckles is obviously a modern development. A medical advance?!?! I doubt it.

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Critiques | Translate

maciekda (19895) 2004-02-25 5:46

ouch, it hurts, but the woman doesn't mind it much I guess, her health is more important than the pain.. very interesting scene, original, all that chinese medicine..

Darren (6823) 2004-02-25 6:15

Ths is a very good scene. I do like how you have captured the expression of the lady, which to me looks as though she is resigned to the pain for the time being. I just find the shot to be a little soft overall. Very interesting to be certain.

ninadev (5377) 2004-02-25 7:30

That is a fabulous shot IMO. A woman being treated with traditional medecine outside on the street. I knew about the cupping method but not this needles in knuckles thing, outch, outch and outch. Either the woman is resigned to her suffering or she is to numbed to feel anything. Anyway, this is truly THE TE shot of the year.
As for the technical aspect of the photo I would suggest adjusting the contrast to remove the light haze. I do like the composition showing the bowl of cups, the leg with bandage on

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greg (2835) 2004-02-25 8:48

I also came across a set of glass jars for doing this in Russia. I never saw them in use, but I can vouch that an offer to apply them makes you feel better - instantaneously. Very interesting shot!

scalerman (26900) 2004-02-25 11:51

I had this done in Vietnam. It doesn't hurt, but you look funny for a few days afterwards.

mdchachi (1612) 2004-03-02 10:54

Ouch. Nice shot of this kind of "daily life." I think a close up on the hand with cups & needles sticking out of it it would have had greater impact as a stand alone photo. This shot feels more like a snapshot -- though it's nice to be able to see the whole scene as well. Definitely a great shot for TE.

touristdidi (8583) 2004-03-22 10:40

this makes me sick....yuk! The needles are nasty looking...... not for me to try!

elena (1054) 2004-04-10 22:09 [Comment]

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