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Gwyneth Paltrow's back - red marks from an alternative spa therapy treatment
I'll give you my layperson's version of the Moxa Ventoza treatment I experienced at The Farm at San Benito. And then you can check out this CBS News segment on a similar treatment called "cupping" that aired the day after Gwyneth Paltrow was seen with round red marks on her back, which she attributed to this alternative therapy.My therapist held a cotton ball she had soaked in alcohol at the end of a long pair of scissors. She then ignited the cotton ball by holding it over a flame. She took the flaming cotton ball and put it inside a heat-resistant glass for just a second or two. Apparently this removes the oxygen. Then the glass was immediately put on the skin of my back. A suction developed that was quite strong. The glass was left in place while she did the same thing with the other five glasses.
Once all six glasses were on my back with suction, she pulled the first one off and repeated the flaming-cotton-ball procedure with each glass until the cotton ball no longer burned. Then it was time for a new cotton ball. She repeated the whole sequence again. This goes on for about 30 minutes. The sensation is one of slight heat and a fairly strong suction feeling. The procedure was followed by a back massage and a cool cloth at the very end. The idea is to pull out toxins - if such a thing is possible. I do know that blood rushes to the surface of the skin, and I found the combination of slight warmth and the massage activity of the suction (as well as the subsequent massage) very comfortable. I did have red marks on my back for the rest of the day.
Mental note: Don't do this before a big evening event if you will be wearing a backless dress. It must have been Gwyneth Paltrow's first "cupping" treatment. Of course, she could have chosen a different dress!
I'm anxious to hear feedback from you on my blog! Please add a comment by clicking on the link below that reads "Comments."
Labels: CBS News, cupping, Farm at San Benito, Gwyneth Paltrow, unique treatments, VIPS
posted by Susie at Sunday, September 24, 2006
5 Comments:
Hi Susie
I had the very same treatment as you at The Farm the day after you did so I'm interested to read what you thought of it. I actually found some of the suction quite painful - it reached a point sometimes where I really wanted my therapist to remove the glass and felt instant relief when she did. Unlike you, I had no red marks on my back at all post treatment, but when I asked the doctor about this, he said that while it meant I had no toxins in my back meridian, I may still have them in my other meridians - just in case I got too carried away with believing I was toxin free!
The only thing I would add to your blog, is to warn readers that it's not a relaxing treatment and maybe should be taken in conjunction with another treatment - say an hour's relaxing massage - so you can release toxins AND feel relaxed.
Thanks
Jennifer Harbottle
Spa Business magazine
“One cup does not fit all.”
Greetings Susie and Jennifer,
It is no surprise that you seem to have differing experiences with cupping. There are many different techniques (flash cupping, sliding, dry, wet etc.) as well as instances when to use it and when not to. Cupping is a therapeutic treatment most commonly associated with Traditional Chinese Medicine, but it is cross cultural. Being a therapeutic treatment it may not be appropriate for everyone and/or a different technique may be more appropriate for differing people/conditions. As for ‘releasing toxins’ well in Africa cupping with gourds or horns is still used to extract venom/poisons - toxins. It’s a very poor choice of a word and not necessary. Cupping’s therapeutic effects can stand on its own without the use of such inaccurate terminology.
So what is it all about and what is it used for. Well cupping is used for a variety of conditions, some of which are, relieving: coughs, asthma, symptoms of the common cold, stomachaches, nausea, menstrual disorders, muscle aches and pains (especially back pain). Cupping can also be very relaxing helping to relieve stress, tensions and lower blood pressure. This is what many spa’s focus on. Instead of very strong uncomfortable cupping which Jennifer seemed to have; a practitioner will incorporate a massage with one or two cups, with moderate suction, which they slide up and down the back or effected/tense area (called sliding cups). This is a wonderfully relaxing, comfortable and effective treatment. Suction can and should be adjusted for your comfort level - typically light at first then slightly stronger. In this instance the function, as per Chinese Medicine, is to draw Blood and Fluids to the surface in order to help promote circulation; thus the sliding and incorporation with massage. After this is done a person will typically retire to a steam to induce a slight sweat and further relax the areas of tension as well as the mind. Try this, I guarantee you will feel blissful.
Cupping has a remarkable effect on harmonizing the body. Harmonizing meaning, restoring a state of homeostasis free from the discomfort of, for example: an asthmatic attack, the loss of sensation or mobility of a limb, to relaxing the mind and bodies muscle tensions.
I encourage you to continue to explore these types of therapies keeping in mind they are therapeutic treatments which should be explained, practiced and adjusted for your particular needs by a skilled professional. As more spa’s and wellness destinations incorporate these techniques for the health and wellness of their clientele, I look forward to reading about your experiences and which destinations you find to offer theses modalities in a truly therapeutic manner for mind as well as body.
Best wishes and best of health,
Max Dente, L.Ac.
Dear Max,
Thanks for explaining "Cupping" in a much more understandable way for me. Now it makes more sense to me how Jennifer and I could have had such different experiences. I do hope to see this procedure on more spa menus and hope others will report their results. It is a fascinating concept - and interesting to know that there are variations among cultures.
Truly appreciate that you took the time to comment.
Susie
Jennifer,
Thanks for your comments - really interesting to hear that your experience was different from mine. Perhaps we had different therapists - or perhaps because you are such a young and slim person the suction was stronger and therefore more painful! Also, the fact that you didn't have any red marks the rest of the day probably means that Gwyneth and I are more toxic. Very possible. :)
Let's try this treatment again sometime and see what happens.
XXOO
Susie
Hi! I had a similar treatment and really enjoyed it. I agree with Susie, it is fascinating indeed. I found this tingling sensation that you feel during the treatment very pleasant, relaxing, and even ... sensual. Hope to hear from someone else who had that experience.
Thanks
Helen
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