Cupping: A traditional treatment

Fri, April 27, 2018 / 02:03 pm

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Pain is etched on the face of a patient undergoing cupping therapy. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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The cups and horns used to treat patients. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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The horns can also be used for foot massages. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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The cupping process at Amirudin’s makeshift tent. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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Placing horns and cups on someone’s back. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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A patient shows the welts on his back after therapy. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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Amirudin receives payment from one of his patients. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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Blood flows from the back of one of his patients during therapy. JP/Boy T. Harjanto
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Amirudin sits in his makeshift tent at the market. He has practiced cupping therapy since he was 17 years old. JP/Boy T. Harjanto

Boy T Harjanto

The traditional Legi market in Kota Gede, Yogyakarta, was packed with street vendors despite the heat. One of them was a cupping therapist who operated his business in a blue makeshift tent.

The therapist, Amirudin whose nickname is santri gendeng (crazy Islamic student), was born in Semarang and attended an Islamic boarding school in Kendal, Central Java. He now lives in Temanggung also in Central Java.

Amirudin, 40, learned the traditional cupping method when he was 17 years old and treats people in his makeshift tent as well as at home.

His equipment consists of horns, cups, needles and matches and he treats people who are suffering from dizziness, flu and pain in their joints.

The treatment lasts for about 10 minutes and costs Rp 50,000 (US$3.65). [yan]