BEKAM - My first time

I've been having this cronic shoulder pain for quite a while now.  Its kind of pressuring pain on my shoulder I guess due to the prolong sitting in the office.  I think also because all the driving I did before when I worked in Seria.  Maybe also because of my posture, weight or even the aircond I am exposed to in my bedroom (my aircond was right on top of my bed before).

 

Its debilitating and painful, it came to a stage where I couldnt lift my arms without feeling the pressure.  I have gone to a few massages in the past, trying to ease the pain but the pain always come back after a few days.  Then I heard about Bekam (Cupping in English) and wanted to try it out but I didnt know any bekam place in Brunei.  Well I know bekam but I have a very limited knowledge of it.  I only knew there was bekam darah which sounds so scary and painful.  I am not sure if I am ready for that.  To see blood?  Nooooo....   Then my friend told me there is Bekam Angin (no bleeding at all) and its good for back ache or any muscle pain.  Thats sounds quite ok for me and she introduced me to this place at Kiulap called Coral Spa.

 

No idea of it, but I was determined to try and did so yesterday.  I didnt know what to expect at first because this was my first time.  The place was ok, two floors of different therapies for men (up one floor) and another floor just for the ladies.  They have lady therapist from Thailand and China and I opted for a lady from China called Syasya.  She was very friendly and did a good job with her job and I was satisfied with what she did.  The treatment inclusive of massage and cupping and lasted for about 1hr.  The cost is B$40 only.

My experience on the bekam?  Quite painful for a first timer!  Very uncomfortable at first and she was surprised on how tired my body was!  I was really really full of "angin" she said.  And I could see the prove when I say what was inside the cups!  Quite scary though on how serious my problem was.  And the bekam on my back was really needed and afterwards my back was full of red traces of the cups.  I am sure this gonna take at least a few days to fade!

 

Anyway I am hoping my shoulder pain will be ease.  And I could feel the difference afterwards, my body was lighter and I think I wanted to come back and do it again!

The Coral Spa at Kiulap

Entrance to the Coral Spa

And below are some article I found in the internet about Bekam if anybody is interested.

Bekam might be a popular alternative medical treatment across the country but many people still know little about it. Below are some facts about the treatment from a number of sources:

What does bekam mean?

Bekam is a Malay word that means “cupping” when translated literally into English. It is also referred to as “Al Hijama” in Arabic cultures. The “cupping” term refers to the process of attaching cups onto the skin at points requiring treatment, using the “suction effect”. This is induced by a vacuum pump or by burning alcohol or eucalyptus oil.

What are the history and origins of bekam?

The origins of bekam date back to China about 2,000 years ago. Historically, treatment has evolved from early acupuncture practices based on the vital pressure points of the Human Anatomy.

Bekam is widely believed throughout the Islamic cultures of Arabia, Malaysia and Indonesia to be part of the “Prophetic Medicine” — part of the holistic medical treatments advocated by the Prophet Muhammad for both preventive and rehabilitative purposes. Bekam is often popular as “Sehat Alami dan Islami” (naturally healthy and Islamic).

How different is bekam from acupuncture and other forms of physiotherapy?

Bekam differs from acupuncture in its “cupping” process, although it follows the same pressure pattern on the vital energy points of the human anatomy.

Wet cupping specialists regard it as better than acupuncture, as it helps draw out the “bad” or “damaged” blood cells and hence clears the body of toxins.

Bekam is considered very different from physiotherapy as the procedures focus on chi or energy flow and reenergized blood circulation, whereas physiotherapy focuses on muscle and tissue repair and the flexibility of joint movement.

Is bekam suitable for anyone who wants to try alternative medical treatments or therapy for general well-being, the Islamic and holistic way?

Clinically, bekam has been proven not suitable for those diagnosed with malnutrition, severe anemia, Hb < 9.5, edema in almost all parts of the body, a fever of 38 degrees Celsius and above, blood coagulation anomalies and senility.

It is also not recommended for children under five years, pregnant women, psychotic patients, epileptics, patients in critical health conditions, patients with contagious diseases such as HIV or leprosy and those with severe skin problems.

What specific diseases can bekam help cure?

Private interviews with doctors and patients reveal that bekam can “aid”, in a natural sense, thyroid problems, early stages of cancer (such as lymphoma, leukemia), gall bladder problems, gastritis, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, stroke, impotence, premature ejaculation, arthritis, gout, malaria, asthma, bronchitis, fatty liver and several types of allergies.

However, there is very little information available on bekam in published medical research journals, although there are plenty of websites on the topic.