Essay Example on Cupping: Traditional Treatment Method for Health Benefits

Cupping is a traditional treatment method that involves using a glass, bamboo, ceramic, or plastic cup to create suction on the skin. Negative pressure is created by either attaching a suction device on the cup or heating the cup to drive out oxygen before placing it on the body surface (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health,2018). Two methods of cupping are used: wet and dry; National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) (2018) stated that unlike the latter, wet cupping involves skin piercing to allow blood flow into the cup. According to NCCIH (2018), the method of healthcare is popular in the Middle East and China. In this essay, I will discuss the position of cupping in healthcare and the barriers associated with it.

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Arguably, the fact that different cultures have practiced cupping therapy for several centuries would prove that the method is not only cheap but also medically viable. In their research article, Umar, Tursunbadalov, Surgun, Welcome, and Dane (2018) stated that cupping therapy dates back to more than 2,000 years. According to Umar et al., the cupping method continually gained popularity due to its ability to mitigate several ailments, such as shoulder and back pains. Moreover, wet cupping is used to remove harmful toxins from the interstitial fluid compartment and the skin microcirculation (Umar et al., 2018). Therefore, cupping therapy can be equated to modern medicinal treatment techniques. Research by Cao, Han, Zhu, and Liu (2015) suggested that the method might be more effective than medications.

Dry cupping therapy can be used to treat back, and shoulder pains; Kitkowski (2017) explained that the process requires cups of varying sizes, and the use of heat or pump gun to create negative pressure. The body part in pain is first unclothed, and cleaned; the cups are placed on the region, and the air is removed to develop suction; the vacuum effect causes the skin to rise within the cups. Kitkowski (2017) stated that the cups should be left on the skin for about twenty minutes; the bruises developed in the process are not painful but have a clinical benefit. The darker bruise shows a lack of adequate blood flow; hence, the part is the cause of pain to the patient; conversely, lighter bruises show that the skin is healthy (Kitkowski, 2017). The bruises disappear by themselves within three to seven days; however, if cupping method is used too often, it can lead to skin inflammation, fluid accumulation, capillary expansion, or rapture of blood vessels (Kitkowski, 2017). Therefore, the method is used to identify affected areas and to treat pain without further conventional medical intervention.

Research by Al Bedah, Khalil, Posadzki, Sohaibani, Aboushanab, AlQaed, and Ali (2016) confirmed that cupping therapy is effective for musculoskeletal pain. However, the method has some limitations, depending on the patient, and the body part on which it is used to administer treatment. Kitkowski (2017) stated that the method should not be used on pregnant women, or arteries - especially on the neck or wrist. Also, some patients might be reluctant to try the therapeutic method since it can lead to persistent skin discoloration, infections, and may worsen psoriasis or eczema (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health,2018).

Cupping therapy has a position in healthcare since it is useful in the treatment of several ailments, for instance, musculoskeletal conditions such as back pains. However, the method faces challenges due to its side effects and perceived dangers such as persistent skin disorders. Nevertheless, cupping therapy is a viable low-cost medical treatment technique.

References

Al Bedah, A. M., Khalil, M. K., Posadzki, P., Sohaibani, I., Aboushanab, T. S., AlQaed, M., & Ali, G. I. (2016). Evaluation of wet cupping therapy: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 22(10), 768-777. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2016.0193

Cao, H., Han, M., Zhu, X., & Liu, J. (2015). An overview of systematic reviews of clinical evidence for cupping therapy. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences, 2(1), 3-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcms.2014.11.012

Kitkowski, T. M. (2017). Physical Therapy Modalities: How they Work and their Effectiveness in the Treatment of Shoulder Pain. https://hdl.handle.net/10150/625021

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2018, November 9). Cupping. Retrieved from https://nccih.nih.gov/health/cupping

Umar, N. K., Tursunbadalov, S., Surgun, S., Welcome, M. O., & Dane, S. (2018). The effects of wet cupping therapy on the blood levels of some heavy metals: a pilot study. Journal of acupuncture and meridian studies, 11(6), 375-379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jams.2018.06.005