Learn mandarin, and know some treatments in mandarin as well...

My first question is.... what on earth are these??

Had a funny story about these red "polka dots". I went to see a chinese physician on the 30th October 2005 (sunday). Went in and told her that I had frequent headaches when I wake up. She asked to see my tongue and took my pulse. She asked a few more questions like work stress and all. She then told me she was going to do something to me in the next room. I thought it was a massage.... boy was I jumping for joy. Went in next door and took off my shirt. I asked if I should take off my jeans too? She said no no no. I lay on my front as instructed, then I saw the cups. She very effectively placed them on me. S was really laughing when she found out about it. She had just arrived on the scene. It was painful man... getting worse by the minute. Some dots were flaming red man. The story does not end here! After 15 min of endurance and complaining to my wife, she finally took them off. Then the chinese physician asked me if I felt relaxed? Of course I was, with all those cups finally off.... She then took out her needles and then I realised I was in for acupuncture. Well, I guess as long as it treats my headaches. Lemme see. I had 2 needles in between my index fingers and thumbs, 2 in my temples, 2 in my cheeks, i on the top of my head and I think 2 on my forehead. I had a little trouble talking to S but I had 20 min to kill. Now I am on some medication that smells and tastes not that great, but like I keep telling myself, as long as it cures my headaches!!

I guess learning mandarin is just the tip of the iceburg, you need to know what certain treatments are in mandarin!!