Cupping Therapy: An Alternative Method of Treating Pain

Abstract

Cupping therapy is a form of Chinese medicine that is believed to act by correcting imbalances in the internal biofield. Cupping involves applying a heated or suction type cup to generate a partial vacuum that mobilizes the blood flow and promotes effective healing. Cupping therapy has gained popularity and acceptance as a method of treating pain as well as sports injuries and other medical conditions. This review outlines various tools and techniques of cupping therapy for the purpose of gaining greater understanding of this method of treatment.

Therapeutic Modalities: Best Practices to Protecting Patients from Harm During Treatment

“…Cupping involves applying a heated or suction type cup to generate a partial vacuum that mobilizes the blood flow and promotes effective healing. 13 Cupping therapy has gained popularity and acceptance as a method of treating pain as well as sports injuries and other medical conditions. 13 Healthcare professionals should complete appropriate course work and hands-on learning towards a certification in cupping therapy.…”

“…13 Cupping therapy has gained popularity and acceptance as a method of treating pain as well as sports injuries and other medical conditions. 13 Healthcare professionals should complete appropriate course work and hands-on learning towards a certification in cupping therapy. Prior to administering this treatment, explain all treatment concerns to the patient as well as determining any contraindications, skin conditions or skin sensitivity for administering the cupping therapy.…”

“…Prior to administering this treatment, explain all treatment concerns to the patient as well as determining any contraindications, skin conditions or skin sensitivity for administering the cupping therapy. 13…”

Increase in the glutamate transporter 1 and time withdrawal latency following wet cupping therapy in chronic constriction injury in rats

“…7 Furthermore, unsatisfactory medical care in managing the pain is the most common reason for seeking therapeutic alternatives; and the more severe the pain, the more frequent is the use of such therapies. 8 Cupping therapy (CT), one of the alternative therapies, 9 is the oldest medical practice. 10 CT has been known as bekam in Indonesia, Al-Hijama in Egypt and other Arab countries, ventusynge in central England, and ventoúza in France.…”

“…10 CT has been known as bekam in Indonesia, Al-Hijama in Egypt and other Arab countries, ventusynge in central England, and ventoúza in France. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17] This therapy has been used in many Asian, African and European countires, 5,8,9,12,13,[17][18][19][20] for various reasons, e.g., stroke rehabilitation, 21 hypertension, balancing the immune, nervous and hormonal systems, increasing blood circulation in joints, dyslipidemia, asthma and allergy, 20 and reducing the pain. 20 CT has been practiced for thousands of years and has recently became increasingly available for the public, 22 and achieved popularity and acceptance as a method for treating pain, sports injuries in athletes and other medical conditions, 8 e.g., low back pain, 23 osteoarthritis, 5,20 migraine and other headaches, 7 muscular spasm surrounding the joints, gouty arthritis, musculoskeletal pain, cancer pain, trigeminal neuralgia, rheumatic joints, 20 carpal tunnel syndrome, brachialgia paraesthetica nocturna, cervicalgia, 5 and fibromyalgia.…”