Traditional and Complementary Medicine Center

Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy is an ancient medical treatment that dates back thousands of years. Ancient Chinese, Korean, Egyptian, and Arab people applied cupping therapy as a form of traditional therapy. This practice is believed to date back to the Bronze Age in Europe, and until the advent of modern surgery, cupping therapy has been part of the routine medical practices of physicians in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, as well as the United States. Cupping therapy has continued to be practiced by both western medicine physicians and traditional medicine physicians in the Far East (China and Korea).

According to the British Cupping Society (2008), cupping therapy is an ancient medical technique that relies on creating a local vacuum on skin to collect blood and then a second vacuum with incisions on skin surface to draw a small amount of blood from the skin. There is no relationship between the amount of blood drawn and clinical benefit.

Academic interest in cupping therapy has rapidly increased in recent years, and there is increasing evidence that cupping therapy can be effective in a range of situations. The effects of cupping therapy, in which researchers are particularly interested, are painful conditions such as migraine, rheumatism, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and back pain (Cao and his colleagues, 2012). In addition, there is increasing clinical data regarding the benefits of cupping therapy in male and female endocrine diseases such as type 2 diabetes and infertility (Rajput, 2015).

When to Have Cupping Therapy?

In the Islamic tradition, cupping therapy is considered a tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Cupping therapy is recommended to achieve general well-being and treat some specific conditions. For these specific conditions, there is no special day or time for cupping therapy, and it is applied when necessary.

However, for the general well-being, it is appropriate to have it on odd-numbered days in the second half of the months according to hijri calendar, preferably three times a month. Before cupping therapy, there is no need for fasting, following a diet or discontinuation of medications, except for blood thinners.

How is Cupping Therapy Performed?

Cupping therapy is a kind of surgical intervention. A proficient doctor should determine to whom and how to perform this treatment method, as in all treatment methods. The application should be done by a doctor or healthcare professionals under the observation of a doctor.

Which Parts of the Body Can Cupping Therapy Be Applied On?

Although it is generally applied on the back of the patient, it can also be applied on the head and other acupuncture points of the body, depending on the illnesses and complaints of the patient. However, the area to be applied should be determined by the doctor.

For Which Diseases Can Cupping Therapy Be Applied?

• Immune system weakness
• Chronic fatigue (weakness)
• Infertility
• Prostate and sexual weakness
• Hormonal disorders
• Ovarian disorders
• Obesity
• Headache and migraine
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Ankle sprain and bruising
• Musculoskeletal diseases (low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, rheumatism, osteoarthritis)

What are the Effects of Cupping Therapy?

• It relaxes the muscles.
• It lends color to our spiritual life.
• It relieves stiffness in any part of our body, even in the vessels.
• It relieves all kinds of pain completely (such as migraine, waist and neck hernia).
• It ends insomnia and calms our nerves.