Man suffers 2nd-degree burns after traditional cupping therapy
Tuesday, Jan 08, 2013
YourHealth, AsiaOne
SINGAPORE - An engineering manager is claiming that an improperly done session of traditional Chinese fire cupping therapy left him with second-degree burns which damaged his skin right down to his middle dermis.
The 48-year-old claims that the burns were so bad, it took him 10 months to recover, Shin Min Daily News reported.
Fire cupping therapy is a form of traditional Chinese alternative medicine whereby the therapist warms the air inside a glass, metal or wooden cup using a flame, and then inverts it over part of the skin to create a local suction.
Practitioners believe this mobilises the blood flow in order to promote healing.
Mr T Arunn said that he went to a health centre at Fu Lu Shou Complex located in Bugis for the treatment. He said while he had previously tried cupping therapy with no problems, his visit to the health centre was his first time trying out the clinic.
He said the therapist placed 11 cups onto his back, and removed it after about 15 minutes.
He told the paper that he felt the staff did not seem very experienced. After they had pulled off the cups, he felt a prickly sensation on his back. When he took a look at his back in the mirror, he was shocked to see that blisters had formed in the circles where two cups had been.
The person in charge told Mr Arunn that the jar may have been left too long, and reassured him that it was nothing to worry about.
However, when he got home, the pain on his back became intolerably severe. He then sought medical advice, where he learnt that he had suffered second-degree burns.
Doctors at the hospital he was warded in told him that he had 11 circular burns on his body, About four per cent of his total skin surface area had suffered second-degree burns. This is equal to the to the size of four palms.
Dangers of cupping therapy
Arrun claims that he has spent more than $500 to see a doctor since then. The wounds on his back healed within a month, but the pain and itchiness would flare up during hot weather. The symptoms took 10 months to completely disappear.
Speaking to the Chinese daily, the person in charge of the health centre explained that cupping for too long will cause blisters. He added that Mr Arrun could have a skin allergy, and that he might not have cleaned the area sufficiently after treatment, causing his skin condition to deteriorate.
Mr Arrun said he has since engaged a lawyer to act on his behalf to claim compensation. He said: "I wrote to many organisations [to complain] to no avail. They all say they do not handle such claims. I would like to remind people not to casually go for health centre cupping, and hope the authorities will exercise tighter control over these centres."
The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) said that patients should first consult a physician before accepting such treatments. Customers are also encouraged to patronise CASE certified health centres. To received certification, they must adhere to a set of stringent rules such as employing trained staff and having a pro-consumer business guide.
Skin specialist Dr Eileen Tan of Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital told Shin Min that cupping therapy carries with it a certain risk, and the skin can get inflamed if it is not healthy.
She added that patients should only allow a qualified Chinese medical practitioner to perform the cupping treatment, and that patients with certain skin conditions such as eczema should not try cupping.
The 48-year-old claims that the burns were so bad, it took him 10 months to recover, Shin Min Daily News reported.
Tuesday, Jan 08, 2013
YourHealth, AsiaOne
SINGAPORE - An engineering manager is claiming that an improperly done session of traditional Chinese fire cupping therapy left him with second-degree burns which damaged his skin right down to his middle dermis.
The 48-year-old claims that the burns were so bad, it took him 10 months to recover, Shin Min Daily News reported.
Fire cupping therapy is a form of traditional Chinese alternative medicine whereby the therapist warms the air inside a glass, metal or wooden cup using a flame, and then inverts it over part of the skin to create a local suction.
Practitioners believe this mobilises the blood flow in order to promote healing.
Mr T Arunn said that he went to a health centre at Fu Lu Shou Complex located in Bugis for the treatment. He said while he had previously tried cupping therapy with no problems, his visit to the health centre was his first time trying out the clinic.
He said the therapist placed 11 cups onto his back, and removed it after about 15 minutes.
He told the paper that he felt the staff did not seem very experienced. After they had pulled off the cups, he felt a prickly sensation on his back. When he took a look at his back in the mirror, he was shocked to see that blisters had formed in the circles where two cups had been.
The person in charge told Mr Arunn that the jar may have been left too long, and reassured him that it was nothing to worry about.
However, when he got home, the pain on his back became intolerably severe. He then sought medical advice, where he learnt that he had suffered second-degree burns.
Doctors at the hospital he was warded in told him that he had 11 circular burns on his body, About four per cent of his total skin surface area had suffered second-degree burns. This is equal to the to the size of four palms.
Dangers of cupping therapy
Arrun claims that he has spent more than $500 to see a doctor since then. The wounds on his back healed within a month, but the pain and itchiness would flare up during hot weather. The symptoms took 10 months to completely disappear.
Speaking to the Chinese daily, the person in charge of the health centre explained that cupping for too long will cause blisters. He added that Mr Arrun could have a skin allergy, and that he might not have cleaned the area sufficiently after treatment, causing his skin condition to deteriorate.
Mr Arrun said he has since engaged a lawyer to act on his behalf to claim compensation. He said: "I wrote to many organisations [to complain] to no avail. They all say they do not handle such claims. I would like to remind people not to casually go for health centre cupping, and hope the authorities will exercise tighter control over these centres."
The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) said that patients should first consult a physician before accepting such treatments. Customers are also encouraged to patronise CASE certified health centres. To received certification, they must adhere to a set of stringent rules such as employing trained staff and having a pro-consumer business guide.
Skin specialist Dr Eileen Tan of Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital told Shin Min that cupping therapy carries with it a certain risk, and the skin can get inflamed if it is not healthy.
She added that patients should only allow a qualified Chinese medical practitioner to perform the cupping treatment, and that patients with certain skin conditions such as eczema should not try cupping.
The 48-year-old claims that the burns were so bad, it took him 10 months to recover, Shin Min Daily News reported.
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