From the Guidelines
Cupping therapy has limited scientific evidence supporting its benefits, and its use should be approached with caution due to potential side effects. While some studies suggest that cupping may be beneficial when used in conjunction with other traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapies, such as acupuncture and moxibustion, for certain conditions like coronavirus disease 2019 1, the overall evidence quality is low to moderate. The benefits of cupping are likely due to temporary physiological changes from the suction applied to the skin, such as increased blood flow to the area and a mild inflammatory response. However, well-designed clinical studies have not consistently demonstrated significant medical benefits beyond placebo effects.
Some of the potential benefits of cupping include:
- Temporary relief from muscle pain
- Improved circulation
- Relaxation However, these effects are not consistently supported by high-quality evidence and may be due to placebo response.
It is essential to consider the potential side effects of cupping, including:
- Bruising
- Skin burns
- Pain
- Rarely, skin infections if not performed with proper hygiene If you're considering cupping, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider first, especially if you have bleeding disorders, skin conditions, or are taking blood thinners, as these may increase risks associated with the procedure. In the context of real-life clinical medicine, a cautious approach to cupping therapy is recommended, prioritizing evidence-based treatments with established benefits and minimizing potential harms.
From the Research
Benefits of Cupping
- Cupping therapy has been used to treat musculoskeletal impairments for about 4000 years, with recent studies suggesting its potential benefits in managing musculoskeletal and sports conditions 2.
- The evidence of cupping on increasing soft tissue flexibility is moderate, decreasing low back pain or cervical pain is low to moderate, and treating other musculoskeletal conditions is very low to low 2.
- Cupping therapy has low to moderate evidence in musculoskeletal and sports rehabilitation and might be used as a useful intervention because it decreases the pain level and improves blood flow to the affected area with low adverse effects 2.
- Mechanically, cupping increases blood circulation, whereas physiologically it activates the immune system and stimulates the mechanosensitive fibers, thus leading to a reduction in pain 3.
- There is initial scientific evidence that dry cupping is able to reduce musculoskeletal pain, and it is considered an inexpensive, noninvasive, and low-risk therapeutic modality 3.
Comparison with Other Therapies
- Cupping therapy and acupuncture have similar effectiveness in relieving pain, with no serious adverse events related to either therapy found in included studies 4.
- A meta-analysis found large short-term effects of cupping on pain intensity compared to no treatment, but no significant effects compared to sham cupping or other active treatment 5.
- Cupping might be a treatment option for chronic pain, but the evidence is still limited by clinical heterogeneity and risk of bias, and high-quality trials are warranted 5.
Safety and Adverse Effects
- The incidence of adverse events related to cupping therapy is very low 2.
- Adverse events were more frequent among patients treated with cupping compared to no treatment, but differences compared to sham cupping or other active treatment were not statistically significant 5.
- Cupping therapy is considered a potentially safe therapeutic modality, with no serious adverse events related to it found in included studies 4.