In Taiwan, an unusual kind of massage is given - to those who are brave enough.

Knife massages date back more than 2,000 years to China, where they originated.

Now Taiwan is one of the few places where they are still practiced.

Cindy Sui put herself on the chopping block at a knife massage parlour to give the treatment a try.

The Close-up series focuses on aspects of life in countries and cities around the world. What may seem ordinary and familiar to the people who live there can be surprising to those who do not.