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Circular, cutaneous impressions on the back of a male patient as result of vacuum cupping, a Chinese traditional physiotherapy. Ecchymosis, petechiae, and bullae of various sizes and colors are visible where cupping was applied AU2 c
Source publication
Cupping therapy is a popular technique in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Cupping is the application of a vacuum to a closed system cup on a specific area of skin. SUBJECT AND SETTING: A 55-year-old, previously healthy man presented at our emergency department (ED) due to tingling and a painful sensation on his back after receiving cupping therapy wh...
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Citations
... 8 Different shades of redness, erythema and ecchymosis are the immediate skin changes following cupping. 9 Furthermore, a longer duration with high negative pressure during cupping suction contributes to the blister formation. 10 A characteristic ecchymosis at the cupping site is likely to be associated with severe dilatation of skin vessels and the escape of erythrocytes into extravascular spaces. ...
Background and Objective
Cupping is a time-honoured traditional healing modality for pain management and remains favoured by professionals and lay people across several cultures today. However, the analgesic mechanism of cupping is still poorly understood. In addition, clinical guidelines for standardized applications of cupping are currently lacking. The awareness of cupping marks has provoked curiosity about the connection between skin color changes and their benefit for local pain relief. Computer simulation is a promising approach for numerical modeling the cupping-evoked erythrocyte emigration. Quantitative proteomic profiling of cupping-induced blister fluid exhibited a significant decrease in the abundance of haemoglobin β subunit. This finding provides a critical clue to paint a novel picture of the mechanism behind cupping. The hemorphins are a set of non-classical opioid peptides derived from the proteolysis of haemoglobin β subunit. In the present study, a probable mechanism of hemorphin-based cupping analgesia is proposed. The hemorphin could also act as a potential biomarker for objective and timely quantitative clinical assessment of cupping in the management of pain conditions. A seminal theory may open a new avenue for future translational research on promoting the efficacy and safety of cupping analgesia.
Conclusion
The local analgesic effect of cupping is probable in the context of haemoglobin degradation that bestows the appearance of hemorphins along with engaging opioid receptor signalling. Exploring the potential novel mechanism of cupping analgesia facilitates seeking non-pharmacologic pain interventions.
... Another effect that cupping therapy has been reported to have on treatment sites is blistering of the skin [24][25][26][27]. The majority of the literature reporting blistering following cupping therapy is in the form of case studies [24][25][26]. ...
... Another effect that cupping therapy has been reported to have on treatment sites is blistering of the skin [24][25][26][27]. The majority of the literature reporting blistering following cupping therapy is in the form of case studies [24][25][26]. In these cases, the common factor was flawed methodology. ...
... Another reported a patient receiving cupping therapy while his private airplane was airborne, and the cabin was pressurized [27]. All these cases reasserted the need for proper training and education prior to using cupping therapy [24][25][26]. Studies that investigated the contents of blistered skin found no harmful pathogens [26,27]. ...
Cupping therapy is becoming a popular therapeutic modality employed by athletic trainers and other allied healthcare professionals. It uses negative pressure to reduce pain, increase blood flow, and improve muscle function. Like many other therapeutic interventions, adverse effects related to cupping therapy treatment can occur. The majority of these effects-particularly muscle soreness-are mild and similar to those encountered in other treatments. While severe adverse events following treatment with cupping therapy have been reported, these events are rare and can often be explained by poor clinician education or flawed methodology. The risks associated with cupping therapy are comparable to, and sometimes fewer than, those associated with other contemporary therapeutic interventions. Proper clinician education, methodology, patient education, and patient communication are crucial when attempting to mitigate the risk of adverse effects related to cupping therapy.
... Changes in atmospheric pressure have been identified as a risk factor for skin injury in a patient who was flying. This resulted in numerous blisters and different shades of redness, as well as petechiae, dense marks and ecchymosis [36]. Figure 2: Contraindications of cupping therapy Cupping therapy contraindications are classified as either absolute or relative cupping is absolutely contraindicated in cancer patients and also those with any organ failure such as renal failure, hepatic failure, and heart failure until we have enough information about its safety this practice of cupping is not recommended. ...
Cupping Therapy (CT) is popular as ʻAl-Hijamaʼ in Egypt and Arabic countries which is an ancient traditional method
which is practiced for the treatment of various medical conditions, especially claims to be a potential remedy in pain related diseases.
Basically, this therapy is an integrated part of the Complementary and alternative medicine, it has got utmost popularity in Unani
system of medicine too. Although cupping therapy has been a treatment for long, but its mode of action is not well established yet,
several studies have been conducted so far in order to investigate the actual mechanisms behind this therapy, still cupping therapy
is a matter of dilemma in medical science. So far, several theories and hypothesis have been put forwarded to explain the effects
produced by the cupping therapy. This article provides an overview of cupping therapy practice and associated adverse events,
therapeutics potential and current prospective in today's medical science.
... Change in atmospheric pressure has been reported as a risk factor for skin injury as seen in a patient who was traveling in an airplane. This resulted in multiple blisters and shades of redness, petechiae, and ecchymosis [67]. Exposure to blood-borne infections may occur if infection control measures are not followed strictly. ...
Cupping therapy is an ancient method which has been used for centuries for various painful conditions. It is performed by applying cups to selected skin points most commonly in the back aiming to create areas of sub-atmospheric pressure. It has been classified as either dry or wet type of therapy. Its mechanism of action is not well understood but several proposed mechanisms are described in the literature. It is relatively safe with a few reported side effects which include scar formation and skin infection. In this paper, a review of the literature will be presented to determine its potential benefits in pain management particularly in musculo-skeletal conditions such as low back and neck pain.
... Cupping terapi (CT) geleneksel Çin tıbbında popüler bir tedavi yöntemi olarak yüzyıllardır uygulanmaktadır (1). CT ile ilgili ilk kayıtlar 1973 yılında eski bir Han mezarının kazısı sırasında bulunan, ipek üzerine yazılmış bir kitap olan Bo Shu'da tespit edilmiştir (2). ...
Cupping therapy (cup-bottle cupping) has been used as a popular treatment method in China for centuries. Cupping therapy is partial vacuum application with heat source or suction on specific area especially on points of acupuncture on skin. The basic actually of this technique is to provide increase of blood circulation on application region. Erythema, edema and ecchymosis are common complication of the technique. A 35 year-old man, presented with multiple bullae secondary to cupping therapy on back region, was reported in this text.
... Multiple blisters within circular marks of differing sizes and varying shades of redness, petechiae, and ecchymosis were found. Upon further observation, it was deduced that these symptoms were a result of changes in atmospheric pressure related to the unexpected descent of the plane which had increased the negative pressure in the cups (Lin et al., 2009). ...
Cupping is an ancient technique used in treating pain and various disorders. Different techniques have been developed over time, however, applying a cup to create suction over a painful area, is common to all. Dry or fire cupping, used on the intact skin, leaves bluish circular hematomas. Recently, interest in cupping has re-emerged and subsequently, several studies have begun to investigate the mechanisms of cupping therapy. Mechanically, cupping increases blood circulation, whereas physiologically it activates the immune system and stimulates the mechanosensitive fibers, thus leading to a reduction in pain.
There is initial scientific evidence that dry cupping is able to reduce musculoskeletal pain. Since cupping is an inexpensive, noninvasive and low-risk (if performed by a trained practitioner) therapeutic modality, we believe that it should be included in the arsenal of musculoskeletal medicine. It is essential to perform additional studies clarifying the biological mechanism and clinical effects of cupping.
... Une équipe de Taiwan a rapporté le cas d'un patient ayant présenté des ampoules suite à une séance de ventouses dans un avion pendant un vol au cours duquel un important changement de pression atmosphérique a eu lieu (Lin, Wang et al. 2009). ...
... Une équipe de Taiwan a rapporté le cas d'un patient ayant présenté des ampoules suite à une séance de ventouses dans un avion pendant un vol au cours duquel un important changement de pression atmosphérique a eu lieu (Lin, Wang et al. 2009). ...
... The results of this study revealed the majority of clients were sensation with comfortable after cupping therapy which is conflict with (Lin, 2009) who reported that Cupping is a form of alternative pain therapy that cupping therapy this technique is the fact that the vacuum force on the particular point to relieve pain and other systemic disorders. Erythema, edema, and ecchymosis are the most common complications; however, they are created on purpose to affect acupuncture point microcirculation. ...
Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder affecting 80% of people at some point in their lives. It is the most common cause of job-related disability, a leading contributor to missed work, and the second most common neurological ailment. Cupping is used in the treatment and cure of a broad range of conditions; general physical as back pain and mental well-being. This study aimed to evaluate effectiveness of cupping therapy (Al-Hijama) on management of persistent non-specific lower back pain and client disability. Subjects & Methods, The study was conducted at Islamic Al-Hijama Centre-Yanbu City-Al Madinah Al Munawarah-Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Thirty adult clients diagnosed with nonspecific low back pain were enrolled in the study with inclusive and exclusive criteria; Data collection tools: Client assessment sheet; American Pain Society Client Outcome Questionnaire and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire, Results, sample included (86.7%) males used wet cupping therapy (76.7%), there were highly statistical significant for assessment of pain pre and post cupping therapy; and client's ability to manage everyday life. Conclusion, cupping therapy is effective in relieving persistent non-specific lower back pain and client disability; no adverse effects were reported from subjects after the treatment. It is recommended that using cupping therapy for enhance disability and decrease pain of lower back pain.
... Ten AEs associated with cupping were found (Table 12): four from Turkey, three from Korea, two from Taiwan, and one from the UK. Most were minor: keloid scarring [113], burns [114,115], and bullae [116,117]. Several were serious: acquired hemophilia A [118], stroke 14 hours after cupping on the back and neck [119], factitious panniculitis [120], reversible cardiac hypertrophy [121], and iron deficiency anemia [122]. These last two cases involved cupping with bleeding [121,122]. ...
Acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping, important in traditional Eastern medicine, are increasingly used in the West. Their widening acceptance demands continual safety assessment. This review, a sequel to one our team published 10 years ago, is an evaluation of the frequency and severity of adverse events (AEs) reported for acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping between 2000 and 2011. Relevant English-language reports in six databases were identified and assessed by two reviewers. During this 12-year period, 117 reports of 308 AEs from 25 countries and regions were associated with acupuncture (294 cases), moxibustion (4 cases), or cupping (10 cases). Country of occurrence, patient's sex and age, and outcome were extracted. Infections, mycobacterial, staphylococcal, and others, were the main complication of acupuncture. In the previous review, we found the main source of infection to be hepatitis, caused by reusable needles. In this review, we found the majority of infections to be bacterial, caused by skin contact at acupoint sites; we found no cases of hepatitis. Although the route of infection had changed, infections were still the major complication of acupuncture. Clearly, guidelines such as Clean Needle Technique must be followed in order to minimize acupuncture AEs.
