Journalist from Botswana has gua sha experience in Beijing

 I never imagined I would ever willingly have my skin scraped!

But then China's capital, Beijing – a bustling city of over 22 million residents – exposes you to a world of possibilities beyond belief.

So, one Saturday afternoon in early May, a few colleagues and I sauntered into a beauty salon in downtown Beijing's Chaoyang District.

We were graciously received by the proprietor and two of her assistants in the homely beauty salon on the upper floor of a building.

After the usual niceties and a drink offer, I was directed to a bed, told to take off my shoes, shirt and vest and to lie face down. As I stared at the floor, my imagination rushed – what on earth had I got myself into?

Soon, the doubts and anxiety dissipated, and I could hear every footstep of the professional as she made her way to my bed. She began by oiling my back and then gently rubbing and massaging.

This was the first time I had ever I tried gua sha – a traditional Chinese massage using a smooth-edged stick, renowned for removing toxins from the body. I was eager to try it, tempted by its supposed health benefits.

Suddenly, I felt a stick scraping my ribs and slowly gliding to my back and then my arms. It was all smooth and therapeutic at first. I enjoyed it, but this was just the beginning.

The professional then pressed hard; the scraping stick seemed to be peeling the skin off my back! The intensity was unbearable.

But I dared not show it. After all, a Chinese colleague was regaling me with tales of how in the ancient world, this massage was the exclusive preserve of nobility.

So, I was able for once to believe that I was a king! She scrubbed my bare back until it turned pale red! After a gruelling 10 to 15 minutes, I was instructed to get up from the bed.

I went to the mirror and there it was – I could hardly recognize my back, it bore patches of red rashes, but surprisingly I didn't feel any pain. I was told not to shower for the rest of the day.

I made a video call to my wife, and she screamed upon seeing my back, "What have they done to you? What did you do?" She was panicky!

But I assured her that I had had the best experience of my life – a gua sha massage, and I had never felt so relived – my blood flow was restored to normal!

That night, I slept like a baby.

Thank you, China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC) and China Public Diplomacy Association, my hosts, for the opportunity to come to Beijing and be introduced to gua sha!

Henceforth, I will continue to receive this treatment back home in Botswana. I felt so relieved even after a week; I think I should do it every month!

I hear from the experts that gua sha is also called "spooning," "coining" or "skin scraping" and called "kerikan" in Indonesia and "cao gio" in Vietnam. I think in Botswana we would call this "kgobola-kgobola," or "scrape-scrape!"

Note: Ernest Moloi is a journalist from Botswana on a media exchange in China. He is a participant of this year's China International Press Communication Center.