Cupping for Treating Pain: A Systematic Review

Kim, Jong-In; Lee, Myeong Soo; Lee, Dong‐Hyo; Boddy, Kate; Ernst, Edzard

doi:10.1093/ecam/nep035

Cited by 110 publications

(116 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…In the present study, the mean reduction of bleeding in the cupping group during 2 months was estimated approximately as 357 units, which represents a considerable effect of this intervention. Although the effect of cupping on menstrual bleeding was examined only in the mentioned study and the present research, the impact of this intervention on a variety of outcomes (such as pain, hypertension, and rehabilitation of limbs) has been evaluated in several studies, of which the majority have confirmed the effectiveness of cupping (7,8,23). In gynecological studies, the effect of cupping on pain following delivery and dysmenorrhea has been approved (11).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

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Traditional Dry Cupping Therapy Versus Medroxyprogesterone Acetate in the Treatment of Idiopathic Menorrhagia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Azizkhani

Dastjerdi

Arani

et al. 2018

Iran Red Crescent Med J

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Background: Dry cupping has been used as a treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding in Iranian traditional medicine. Objectives: The present study aimed at evaluating the usefulness of dry cupping on excessive menstrual blood loss in menorrhagia with a well-validated menstrual pictogram compared to medroxyprogesterone acetate. Methods: A total of 162 women with menorrhagia were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, controlled trial in Iran from 2015 to 2016. Written informed consent was obtained, then, patients were randomly allocated into dry cupping (3 sessions of interrupted and kinetic dry cupping during menstrual bleeding) or medroxyprogesterone acetate (10 mg/day throughout the luteal period) groups using a random number sequence. The number of bleeding days and objective estimation of menstrual blood loss using a pictorial blood loss assessment chart (PBAC) were recorded before the intervention and at specific intervals (1 and 3 months post intervention). Results: At 1 and 3 months, PBAC scores were significantly lower in women treated with cupping compared with women treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate. These reductions in PBAC score were 214.9 mL with 95% CI (120.5 to 309.2) greater than medroxyprogesterone acetate at 1 month and 237.3 with 95% CI (143.0 to 331.7) at 3-month follow-up period. Reduction in the number of bleeding days in the cupping group for almost one day was better than the control groups at 1 and 3 months follow-up (Mean difference:-1.03, 95% CI (-1.78 to -0.26), P = 0.007). Conclusions: Dry cupping is an effective treatment in reducing the intensity of bleeding during menstrual period compared to medroxyprogesterone acetate.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…The vacuum can be done in different ways (24). Several systematic reviews have been conducted to evaluate the effect of cupping on pain treatment (23,25). The effectiveness of the mechanism of cupping is done through the manipulation of small myelinated peripheral nerve fibers in the muscle along with suction.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional Dry Cupping Therapy Versus Medroxyprogesterone Acetate in the Treatment of Idiopathic Menorrhagia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Azizkhani

Dastjerdi

Arani

et al. 2018

Iran Red Crescent Med J

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“…However, recent clinical studies have reported positive results of cupping in patients with musculoskeletal diseases e.g. lower back pain [6], carpal tunnel syndrome [7], brachialgia paresthetica nocturna [8], cancer pain [9] and chronic neck pain [10-12]. In China Cupping is widely used and two systematic reviews were recently published about the results [13,14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pulsatile dry cupping in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee – a randomized controlled exploratory trial

Teut

Kaiser

Ortiz

et al. 2012

BMC Complement Altern Med

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IntroductionCupping is used in various traditional medicine forms to relieve pain in musculoskeletal diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of cupping in relieving the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsIn a two-group, randomized controlled exploratory pilot study patients with a clinically and radiological confirmed knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence Grading Scale: 2-4) and a pain intensity > 40 mm on a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) were included. 40 Patients were randomized to either 8 sessions of pulsatile dry cupping within 4 weeks or no intervention (control). Paracetamol was allowed on demand for both groups. Outcomes were the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) score, the pain intensity on a VAS (0 mm = no pain to 100 mm = maximum intensity) and Quality of Life (SF-36) 4 and 12 weeks after randomization. Use of Paracetamol was documented within the 4-week treatment period. Analyses were performed by analysis of covariance adjusting for the baseline value for each outcome.Results21 patients were allocated to the cupping group (5 male; mean age 68 ± SD 7.2) and 19 to the control group (8 male; 69 ± 6.8). After 4 weeks the WOMAC global score improved significantly more in the cupping group with a mean of 27.7 (95% confidence interval 22.1; 33.3) compared to 42.2 (36.3; 48.1) in the control group (p = 0.001). After 12 weeks the WOMAC global score were still significantly different in favor for cupping (31.0 (24.9; 37.2) vs. 40.8 (34.4; 47.3) p = 0.032), however the WOMAC subscores for pain and stiffness were not significant anymore. Significantly better outcomes in the cupping group were also observed for pain intensity on VAS and for the SF-36 Physical Component Scale compared to the control group after 4 and 12 weeks. No significant difference was observed for the SF-36 Mental Component Scale and the total number of consumed Paracetamol tablets between both groups (mean 9.1, SD ± 20.0 vs. 11.5 ± 15.9).ConclusionIn this exploratory study dry cupping with a pulsatile cupping device relieved symptoms of knee OA compared to no intervention. Further studies comparing cupping with active treatments are needed.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01057043

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“…The latter was measured using several techniques such as a visual analogue scale. In all previous trials, the response rates were higher and pain measurements were lower in cupping groups than in control groups (Kim et al, 2011). All these trials suggested that cupping is a successful pain therapy with promising effects on other illnesses (Shaban, 2011).…”

Section: Physicalmentioning

confidence: 94%

A revival of primary healing hypotheses: a comparison of traditional healing approaches of Arabs and American Indians

El-Magboub¹,

García²,

James³

2012

TANG [HUMANITAS MEDICINE]

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When medicine is unable to cure, and the end becomes imminent, or when the patient is tired of the side effects associated with chronic use of drugs, the search for alternative and new ways of healing is begun. Coincidentally, sometimes the alternative is the origin, as is the case for traditional Arab medicine and traditional American Indian healing. Traditional healing is the first healing that all people have used for 200,000 years, since the beginning of Homo sapiens. The sources and elements of traditional Arab medicine have been examined in books and by consulting with traditional Arab healers. Arabic medicine is a career combining both elements of science and philosophy based on religion and traditions, and includes a diversity of healing approaches: spiritual, physical, and using natural products. These approaches are discussed with emphasis on wet cupping (Alhijamah), a practice that is undergoing a revival nowadays in Arab countries. American Indian healing is a career based on religion, tradition, an innate healing gift and extensive training, both in a medical school setting and as an apprentice. Arabic healing approaches are compared to American Indian healing approaches.

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Cupping for Treating Pain: A Systematic Review

Cited by 110 publications

References 15 publications

Traditional Dry Cupping Therapy Versus Medroxyprogesterone Acetate in the Treatment of Idiopathic Menorrhagia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Traditional Dry Cupping Therapy Versus Medroxyprogesterone Acetate in the Treatment of Idiopathic Menorrhagia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Pulsatile dry cupping in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee – a randomized controlled exploratory trial

A revival of primary healing hypotheses: a comparison of traditional healing approaches of Arabs and American Indians

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