

An old woman from Harbin, surnamed Bai, has lost her eyesight as a result of undergoing years of “punching therapy,” which was recommended to her by one of the therapists from the “Natural Shock Health Club.”

“Punching therapy” is exactly what it sounds like. She began receiving the “therapy” in 2011, going so far as to receive a one-hour beating twice or even three times a week. A single session consisted of multiple blows to the eyes, head and other parts of the body. Bai was told that the repeated strikes would cure all illnesses, CCTV News reports.



After receiving the “therapy” over 160 times in 18 months, she found that she couldn’t see clearly out of her right eye. She informed her therapist, who assured her that was “normal reaction,” and would get better over time.

Placing blind faith in what her therapist had said, she continued right along with her treatment; however, instead of getting better, things got worse. She could barely see anything out of her right eye and consulted a doctor, who diagnosed her with cataracts. Yet, the “health” club manager persuaded her to continue with the treatment, claiming that it would help her regain her eyesight.

Once again, she was taken in, but finally quit receiving “punching therapy” when she began having a hard time seeing out of her left eye as well.

According to Tencent, Bai sued the club for her eye problems. The court found evidence that Bai’s cataracts were connected to the hours and hours of beatings she had endured and required the club to compensate her to the tune of 100,000 yuan.

Netizens on Weibo were dumbfounded that Bai could have had such steadfast faith in the brutal “therapy” that was turning her blind.

“This woman really is simple-minded. I don’t think any sane person would ever believe in ‘punching therapy,” commented one web user.

“If punching is good for your health, how come I’m still weak after being punished repeatedly by my mom when I was a kid?” joked another netizen who may have other issues.

“Punching therapy” would seem to be another treatment on the very shady side of already questionable Traditional Chinese Medicine. Video of another procedure, perhaps even more dangerous, has been circulated on Chinese social media recently. Introducing, “python needle therapy”:



After you’ve got your daily beating and had giant needle shoved into your back, why not cool down with a nice, warm glass of your own piss. One old man has been chugging down his own urine for the past 23 years, and claims that it too cures all.



To your health!

By Katie Ngai

[Images via CCTV News / Weibo]

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