ExplainerWhat is Zen slap therapy? Tradition-based China remedy claims to relieve stress, release negative energy, some smell a scam

A new therapy derived from traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, known as chan pai, or “Zen slap” in English, is being used to reduce growing levels of stress in China.

Such is the popularity of the treatment on the mainland social media platform Xiaohongshu, the hashtag #zenslaptherapy has attracted 11.6 million views.

Despite being expensive – at least 600 yuan (US$83) for an hour in first-tier cities – people are paying for the service in which therapists heavily slap acupoints.

Acupoints are specific points on the body where an acupuncture needle may be inserted.

The belief is that it helps drain meridians, or energy channels, removing negative energy from the body.

The Post looks into its origins and present day uses.