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Logan Hyperdome horror cupping burns revealed

A woman left with painful, oozing cupping wounds she claims followed a visit to a southeast Queensland shopping centre was told by staff they were normal. WARNING: GRAPHIC

A woman has been left with oozing wounds after a cupping experience at Logan Hyperdome.
A woman has been left with oozing wounds after a cupping experience at Logan Hyperdome.

A woman left with painful, oozing cupping wounds she claims followed a visit to a South East Queensland shopping centre was told by staff they were normal.

Larita De Ruysscher, of Shailer Park, shared her horrific experience after visiting a business at Logan Hyperdome shopping centre on Monday, September 25.

Ms De Ruysscher said she went into the business asking for a solution for “a very sore neck and shoulders”.

A woman has been left with painful, oozing cupping burns after a horror experience at the Logan shopping centre. Picture – Facebook.
A woman has been left with painful, oozing cupping burns after a horror experience at the Logan shopping centre. Picture – Facebook.

“I had some fire cupping at the [the Foot Haven Herbal business at the] Hyperdome and ended up with painful burns,” she said.

The ancient therapy involves placing glass, bamboo or plastic jars on the skin to enhance circulation, extract toxins and relieve pain.

“I have had them looked at by a doctor and had them dressed,” Ms De Ruysscher said.

Under her doctor’s instructions, she went back to the Hyperdome business to show them the extent of her burns.

“I got told it’s normal in China and I’ll be ok.”

Pictures of blisters on a woman’s back after a cupping treatment. Picture – Facebook.
Pictures of blisters on a woman’s back after a cupping treatment. Picture – Facebook.

“No matter what I said I got ‘it’s normal, sorry’.

“My question is: has anyone else had this cupping and also got burnt?

“I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone and I would hate for anyone else to have my experience.

“The place I had it done at gives health insurance rebates so I automatically thought it was ok.”

When trying on a shirt in Kmart shortly afterwards, she realised something wasn’t quite right and spotted the blistering burns had gotten worse.

“It started to get really uncomfortable during,” Ms De Ruysscher said.

“It was a relief when he took them off. I didn’t realise anything though till he started rubbing my back and talking about the jelly, it was stinging then and when I put my top on I knew something was up.

“That’s one of the reasons I went into the Kmart change room.”

Despite the pain and burning sensations, she was repeatedly told it was normal and not burns.

“When it was finished he said I had jelly on my back but not to worry it’s toxins and will take three to four days to go down,” she said.

“Today is day 10 … it’s itchy and irritated still.

Her doctor said they believed they were burns and administered silver burn cream and bandaged up the blisters.

Ms De Ruysscher said thought it was important she shared her experience.

“He (business owner and treatment provider) rang me yesterday afternoon I’m guessing because he was alerted to my Facebook post and offered me a free massage on Thursday because he’s very sorry,” Ms De Ruysscher said.

“I really don’t want to cause him trouble but I don’t want anyone else going through this.”

Pictures of blisters on a woman’s back after a cupping treatment. Picture – Facebook.
Pictures of blisters on a woman’s back after a cupping treatment. Picture – Facebook.

She posted photos of her wounds — which revealed blistering, fluid-filled skin from her shoulders to halfway down her back — in a local community Facebook group where she was met with shock.

“I’ve had cupping done a lot. I’ve never had anything close to a burn,” one woman said.

“The bruising is normal, blistering is not!” said another local.

Foot Haven Herbal owner Adam Zhou said Ms De Ruysscher’s cupping treatment lasted about 10 minutes and was not intensive.

He said he called her on Tuesday, a day after she returned to his shop, to offer her a free treatment and massage.

“I also apologised to her on the phone on Tuesday and we have now booked a free treatment on Thursday.

“There is no refund for the initial treatment as we have not done anything wrong and followed all the regular procedures.

“But I did feel sorry for her as she has not had this treatment before and was concerned about the blistering, which can happen depending on your skin type.”

There are three businesses offering cupping and massage at the Hyperdome and practitioners from all three said blistering was common after an initial treatment.


Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/logan/logan-hyperdome-horror-cupping-burns-revealed/news-story/27ba4ade9aefbf3935c2c0ccd271ebbe