Foot whipping; variously known as bastinado; falanga (phalanga); and falaka (falaqa); is a form of corporal punishment whereby the soles of the feet are beaten with an object such as a cane or rod; a club; a piece of wood; a stout leather bullwhip; or a flexible bat of heavy rubber. It is also sometimes favoured as a form of torture because; although extremely painful; it leaves few physical marks. The prisoner may be immobilised before application of the beating by tying; securing the feet in stocks; locking the legs into an elevated position; or hanging upside-down. The Persian term falaka referred to a wooden plank which was used to secure the feet prior to beating. This punishment has; at various times; been used in China; as well as the Middle East. It was used throughout the Ottoman Empire.