What do suction cups do in acupuncture

Skip to content. Does It Work? How does it work? What does the science say? Tags: Expert Advice. Popular Categories. Popular Topics. Women's Health. Cupping therapy is a traditional Chinese and Middle Eastern practice that people use to treat a variety of conditions.

Cupping can either be dry or wet. Many doctors consider cupping therapy a complementary therapy, which means that many do not recognize it as part of Western medicine. This does not mean that it is not effective, however. Complementary therapies with supporting research may be an addition to Western medicine. Scientists have linked cupping therapy with a variety of health benefits, although there needs to be more research to determine whether it is effective as a treatment.

People frequently cite cupping therapy as a form of pain relief. However, while there is some evidence for its effectiveness, scientists need to conduct more high-quality studies to demonstrate this fully. For example, a study paper in the journal Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found some evidence to suggest that cupping may reduce pain. However, its authors note that there were limits to the quality of the studies that showed this. A meta-analysis that appears in the journal Revista Latina-Americano De Enfermagem claims that there may be evidence for cupping being effective in treating back pain.

However, again, the researchers note that most studies were low-quality, and that there is a need for more standardization in future studies. One study paper in the journal BMJ Open came to a similar conclusion for the effectiveness of cupping for neck pain.

The researchers note that there is a need for better-quality studies to determine whether cupping therapy is truly effective. A study paper in the journal PLoS One found that there was some evidence for cupping therapy being effective at treating herpes zoster and acne.

When medications are studied, coming up with a placebo pill is not difficult; it can be much more difficult to create a convincing placebo comparator for cupping. In addition, pain can be a difficult thing to measure and the placebo effect — improvement related to an expectation of benefit — can be quite powerful. Still, there have been studies comparing actual acupuncture with convincing but fake or "sham" acupuncture.

Similar studies of cupping could be possible. The researchers found that cupping therapy may help with the following conditions, among others:. However, the authors acknowledge that most of the studies they reviewed contain a high level of bias. More studies are needed to assess the true effectiveness of cupping. The side effects you may experience will typically occur during your treatment or immediately after.

You may feel lightheaded or dizzy during your treatment. You may also experience sweating or nausea. After treatment, the skin around the rim of the cup may become irritated and marked in a circular pattern. You may also have pain at incision sites or feel lightheaded or dizzy shortly after your session. Infection is always a risk after undergoing cupping therapy. The risk is small and usually avoided if your practitioner follows the right methods for cleaning your skin and controlling infection before and after your session.

Your practitioner should wear an apron, disposable gloves, and goggles or other eye protection. They should also use clean equipment and have regular vaccines to ensure protection against certain diseases, like hepatitis. If you experience any of these issues, consult your practitioner.

They may offer remedies or steps you can take before your session in order to avoid any discomfort. Your doctor may be cautious or uncomfortable with answering questions related to healing methods like cupping. Some CAM practitioners may be particularly enthusiastic about their methods, even suggesting you skip over conventional medical treatments advised by your doctor. But if you do choose to try cupping as part of your treatment plan, discuss your decision with your doctor.

Continue with regular doctor visits related to your condition to get the best of both worlds. Extra caution should be taken for the following groups:. Also avoid cupping if you have:.