Thorough Cleanse

DURING MY ACUPUNCTURE treatment at Vedary—perhaps the finest wellness clinic in Mumbai—the traditional Chinese medicine specialist, Dr Afzal, told me about hijama, an ancient technique of cupping and blood-letting. Small incisions made into the back are protected by suction cups into which drips away the ‘bad blood’, or bloody discharges bearing years of toxicity.

“Would you like to try it?” he asked.

“Yes,” I responded, although I was nervous. I was in his treatment room, supine, marvelling at the acupuncture) near Dehradun. He reminded me of the talent of the renowned Satoshi Hashimoto, who practises a special form of Japanese acupuncture at Thailand’s best wellness destination, Chiva-Som ().