Cupping, leeching and other ancient healing methods welcomed in Turkish hospitals

By Ezgi Erkoyun

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -In a brightly lit treatment room at a private hospital in Istanbul, doctor Erdal Dilekci makes dozens of small, quick incisions on a patient’s back as part of a centuries-old therapy known as wet cupping.

The patient, 26-year-old nurse Furkan Ali Sayan, lies quietly as the doctor then places eight suction cups designed to draw out toxins and ease his neck and back pain.

Over the next 15 minutes, the cups slowly fill with blood.

“I don’t feel much yet, but I…