Is There a Role of Cupping Therapy in the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Primary Care Setting?

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a clinical syndrome, which causes significant morbidity. It is currently managed conservatively with splinting or steroidal injections. Where conservative management is unsatisfactory, surgical decompression is carried out. Because of dangerous complications of surgical procedures and increasing economical burden of CTS condition, safe, traditional, cost effective conservative adjunct option is being evaluated in this review article. Cupping therapy is an ancient but increasingly popular therapy for a variety of pathologies. Studies over the last decade have indicated potential therapeutic value of cupping therapy for the management of CTS. Whilst there is some biomedical rationale supporting the usage of cupping therapy in CTS the evidence is not sufficient to support the inclusion of cupping therapy in management of carpal tunnel syndrome in formal pathways. High quality trials with increased participant numbers, development of blinded study options and a regulatory body for cupping therapy are required so that cupping therapy can be established as a potent therapeutic option for CTS. The review was conducted to examine the efficacy of cupping therapy in management of CTS.

Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis of the Wrist Simulating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

“…Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a commonly diagnosed compression neuropathy in the upper limb characterized by entrapment of the median nerve at the wrist [5][6][7]. According to Kerwin [8] and described by Campbell's [9] there are several causes of STC (Table 1).…”

Current diagnosis and management of carpal tunnel syndrome: A review

“…It is the oldest medical practice and alternative method for applying fast, powerful, and rhythmic force to escalate blood supply. It is used for several neuropathic disorders, 10,60 and is one of the costeffective and traditional treatment options. Cupping is differentiated as dry and wet cupping.…”

“…In dry cupping, the skin is pinched into the cup through vacuum pressure, while in wet cupping, scarification is performed to attract blood into the cup. 60 Taking cupping therapy as a regular physical therapy can offer symptomatic relief and improve sensory conduction distal to median nerve. It is recommended that cupping is a convenient and cheap methods to be used as a complementary CTS treatment.…”

Popular Complementary and Alternative Therapy Methods in Different Conditions

“…Dry cupping therapy can be as effective as electrical stimulation on pain and function in plantar fasciitis 63 . In the first-line treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, cupping therapy as an adjunct to medical management can reduce pain and tightness (level of evidence: low) 64 . There is a need for studies with a high level of evidence regarding the effectiveness of dry cupping in musculoskeletal system conditions.…”