Cupping therapy in STS

Ryan Burke

Modern (1940’s-present)

58 Cupping therapy in STS

Ryan Burke

Introduction:

Cupping therapy is a medical technique that has gained popularity in recent years. As the name suggests, cupping involves cups used to create suction on the skin. This suction is believed to improve blood flow and reduce pain. Cupping therapy is a medical technique that is a product of STS because of the medical traditions, effectiveness, mechanism of action, and applications of the practice.

Connection to STS:

Cupping therapy can be considered a product of STS due to its integration of medical traditions, scientific research, and societal acceptance. The practice has evolved, incorporating knowledge from different cultures and medical systems. Scientific studies have provided evidence for its effectiveness and mechanisms of action. Moreover, the growing popularity of cupping therapy in mainstream society reflects the influence of STS on healthcare practices.

Origins and Medical Traditions:

Cupping therapy has a long history and is rooted in various medical traditions. It has been practiced in ancient Egypt, China, and the Middle East. In traditional Chinese medicine, cupping is believed to balance the flow of qi in the body. In Islamic medicine, it is considered a form of Hijama, a therapeutic bloodletting technique. These medical traditions have contributed to the development and refinement of cupping therapy over time (Nimrouzi et al., 2014).

Mechanisms of Action:

The mechanisms of action of cupping therapy have yet to be fully understood, but several theories have been proposed. One theory suggests that cupping therapy stimulates blood circulation and lymphatic flow, promoting the removal of toxins and waste products from the body. Another theory suggests that cupping therapy activates the body’s natural healing mechanisms, such as releasing endorphins and anti-inflammatory substances. Al-Bedah et al. (2018) discussed the various mechanisms of action, including the modulation of the immune system and the release of neurochemicals.

Effectiveness of Cupping Therapy:

Numerous studies have investigated the effectiveness of cupping therapy. A systematic review by Cao et al. (2012) concluded that cupping therapy showed promising results in pain management. Mehta Dhapte (2015) highlighted the wide range of medical ailments cupping therapy can address. Additionally, Lee et al. (2019) found that cupping therapy induces the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in skin cells, which can promote healing.

Applications of Cupping Therapy:

Cupping therapy has many uses in modern medicine. Mohamed et al. (2023) conducted a systematic review and found evidence supporting the use of cupping therapy in musculoskeletal and sports rehabilitation. Vieira et al. (2022) analyzed the acute effects of cupping therapy on trigger points in the cervical region and reported a significant decrease in pain. Furthermore, cupping therapy has been used to treat various medical ailments, including respiratory conditions, skin disorders, and mental health conditions (Mehta & Dhapte, 2015).

Conclusion:

Cupping therapy is a medical technique practiced for centuries in various medical traditions. The effectiveness of cupping therapy in pain management and its potential applications in different conditions make it a valuable therapeutic option. The mechanisms of action of cupping therapy are still being explored, and further research is needed to understand its effects fully. Integrating cupping therapy into modern medical practices demonstrates the intersection of Science, Technology, and Society in healthcare.

AI discloser statment

I used scite.ai to help me find information about cupping therapy that fits the goals of this textbook chapter. It gave me sources from outside the western world. I then used the other sources I had gathered to apply other elements to the chapter.

scite.ai. (2023). scite.ai (beta version) [Large Language Model]. https://scite.ai/assistant

References

Al-Bedah AM, Elsubai IS, Qureshi NA, et al. The medical perspective of cupping therapy: effects and mechanisms of action. J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;9(2):90-97. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2018.03.003

Cao, H., Han, M., Li, X., Dong, S., Shang, Y., Wang, Q., … & Liu, J. (2010). Clinical research evidence of cupping therapy in china: a systematic literature review. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-10-70

Cao, H., Li, X., & Liu, J. (2012). An updated review of the efficacy of cupping therapy. Plos One, 7(2), e31793. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0031793

Lee, H., Lee, H., Kim, G., Choi, J., & Hong, J. (2019). Plasma cupping induces vegf expression in skin cells through nitric oxide-mediated activation of hypoxia inducible factor 1. Scientific Reports, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-40086-8

Mehta, P. and Dhapte, V. (2015). Cupping therapy: a prudent remedy for a plethora of medical ailments. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 5(3), 127-134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2014.11.036

Mohamed, A., Zhang, X., & Jan, Y. (2023). Evidence-based and adverse-effects analyses of cupping therapy in musculoskeletal and sports rehabilitation: a systematic and evidence-based review. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 36(1), 3-19. https://doi.org/10.3233/bmr-210242

Moura, C., Chaves, E., Cardoso, A., Nogueira, D., Corrêa, H., & Chianca, T. (2018). Cupping therapy and chronic back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 26(0). https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.2888.3094

Nimrouzi, M., Mahbodi, A., Jaladat, A., Sadeghfard, A., & Zarshenas, M. (2014). hijamat in traditional persian medicine. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 19(2), 128-136. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587214524578

Vieira, S., Batista, L., Gomes, G., Ferreira, B., Taube, O., Silva, G., … & Fabrin, S. (2022). Analysis of the acute effect of acupression and cupping therapy techniques applied to trigger points in the cervical region of university students. International Journal of Health Science, 2(69), 2-11. https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1592692215118

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To the extent possible under law, Ryan Burke has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to Science Technology and Society a Student Led Exploration, except where otherwise noted.