My Back Has Shrunk: The Influence of Traditional Cupping on Body Image in Patients with Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain

Abstract

Background: In conditions such as phantom limb pain and low back pain body image is distorted. This qualitative study investigates body image in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain (CNP), its influence on their everyday life and any changes linked to traditional cupping therapy. Methods: The study was conducted with a convenience sample of 6 patients with CNP from a larger randomised controlled trial (RCT) on cupping. The data came from body image drawings and semi-structured interviews. The latter were analysed using Mayring’s content analysis techniques. Results: The patients’ drawings showed apparent body image distortions with elements that were missing or deformed. The interviews showed that pain was the predominant perception, influencing patients’ body perception. Patients saw their pain as beyond their control, using mostly passive strategies to cope. After cupping, patients reported less pain and improved pain perception. These changes were reflected in their drawings. Conclusion: Patients with CNP experienced apparent body image distortions, which traditional cupping therapy appeared to improve. Additional research is needed to further explore this link.

The Effect of Cupping Therapy on Non-specific Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…A total of 27 studies were excluded, as they did not have sufficient data for inclusion. Of these, 10 randomized trials were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis (23,(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34). The search strategy and method of study selection is defined in Figure 1.…”

“…Five trials used the SF36 questionnaire to assess quality of life (26,28,(30)(31)(32). Also, a number of studies assessed other outcomes such as numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain intensity (23,28), mechanicaldetection thresholds and vibration-detection thresholds (28), as well as body image (34). The main characteristics of the eligible studies are summarized in Table 1.…”

“…The majority of patients were females with chronic nonspecific neck pain. Interventions included dry cupping (27,28,30,33,34), traditional cupping (26), massage cupping (29), and pulsating cupping (32). Two trials employed both dry and wet cupping in the intervention group (23,31).…”

“…The duration of 1 study was 2 years (31). One RCT assessed the effects of dry cupping on body image in patients with chronic neck pain (n = 6) and reported that the patients experienced distortions in apparent body image, which traditional cupping therapy appeared to improve (34). Another RCT assessed local metabolism and pain threshold after cupping therapy in patients with neck pain and in healthy subjects (n = 12).…”

Körperbild und Rückenschmerz

“…Bei einer Vielzahl von anderen Erkrankungen hat sich das Körperbild als moderierender Faktor erwiesen (u. a in [22,33]). Für den Rückenschmerz sind negative Ausprägungen des Körperbilds mehrfach nachgewiesen [14,26,28,32].…”