There are not any scientific researches or case studies on cupping. The research according to Australians and Chinese shows that cupping can be effective when people take other treatments like acupuncture, dry needling, and medication. Cupping can be really effective for various diseases like:
· Herpes Zoster
· Acne
· Facial paralysis
· Cervical Spondylosis
Though it has been reported that those studies can be biased and more studies regarding this is needed. According to British cupping analysis, they think it is used for the therapy of:
· Blood disorders such as anemia and hemophilia.
· Skin problems such as eczema and acne.
· Migraines.
· Anxiety and depression.
· Fertility and gynecological disorders.
· Rheumatic diseases such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.
· Varicose veins.
· Bronchial Congestion caused by allergies and asthma.
Though there is not any research to back up these all conditions.
Side Effects and Risks
According to NCCIH, the side effects of cupping can be:
· Scarring
· Burns
· Infection
· Long-lasting skin discoloration
If a person is going through skin disorders such as eczema or psoriasis, then the cupping may make it worse on the areas where the cups are being placed.
If a practitioner is not skilled or well trained and accidentally takes out a lot more blood from the skin than necessary then a person may experience severe anemia or internal bleeding. That is why choosing a professional therapist like My Home Therapy is crucial.
According to a study paper that appears on the Journal of acupuncture and meridians studies, cupping can also cause:
· Tiredness
· Dizziness.
· You may feel lightheaded.
· Fainting.
· Insomnia
· Nausea
· Headaches
Though it is very difficult to investigate how common these side effects are, as there is no authentic research on cupping and the research quality of case studies are really poor.
If a person may have any of these side effects or issues after having cupping therapy, they should immediately collaborate with their professional doctor. Some people have skin problems or natural health conditions such as blood clotting, which makes cupping less ideal for their skin.
Takeaway
As though there are not ideal or good-quality studies or researches on cupping. But there are some shreds of evidence which shows that cupping can be really effective for your health conditions.
To understand the cupping therapy and get more knowledge about it as well as to check its effectiveness, the way it works, and what problems it can solve the best, the scientists need to carry out more research.
Cupping may be a very good choice for those who have had the therapy and did not get any side effects and it affected their health conditions in a good way and relieving their pain.
The best thing to do is go to a well-trained and professional practitioner who can give evidence of the effectiveness of this therapy. Moreover, let your professional doctor know about what you are getting into. They will help you make a good decision.
Sports Recovery
It has been reported in a study paper, Journal of Alternative and complementary medicine that professional athletes are using this cupping therapy for their recovery practices.
Though there is no evidence suggested by the studies about if this therapy is effective for sports recovery.
Skin Conditions
Another study paper in the journal PLoS One has said that there are some pieces of evidence of the effectiveness of cupping therapy for treating the skin conditions like eczema and acne and herpes zoster.
Though it has also been reported that these studies have higher chances of bias. So more high-quality, authentic and rigorous studies are needed for the evidence of the effectiveness of this therapy.
Pain Relief
Cupping is said to be the therapy for pain relief by people, frequently. However, as there is some evidence supporting the statement but the doctors, physicians and scientists need to conduct high-quality and more rigorous studies.
Like for example, a study paper in the journal Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine found some evidence on how it can relieve pain with its effectiveness. But still, the study can be biased according to the authors of the journal. It was neither confirmed nor denied.
Another analysis that appeared in the journal Revista Latina-Americano De Enfermagem which claimed that cupping therapy is effective for treating the back pain. However, again, it is a low-quality search and there should be standardization researches regarding this.
Yet another study paper in the journal BMJ open claimed the effectiveness of the cupping therapy for neck pain. The researchers yet still need to organize a research party to find the results on the effectiveness of cupping therapy.
Does it really work?
According to a study in a journal PLoS one, it is said that it does work by creating hemostasis and hyperemia around the skin. This means that either it increases the blood flow or decreases the blood flow of the person’s skin under the cup.
Cupping also has links and connections to acupoints of the person’s body, which is the center for acupuncture practice.
Many of the doctors claim to consider it as a complementary therapy, that means that many of the people still don’t consider it as a part of western medicine. But just because some people don’t believe it doesn’t mean that it is not effective.
Complementary therapies along with authentic researches maybe turn out be great for western medicines. However, according to the National center for complementary and integrative health (NCCIH), there are not many shreds of evidence and researches which approves the effectiveness of the cupping therapy.
S though there are a lot of doubts and insecurities regarding cupping therapy. But still, it can be effective for so many ways. Stay away from the therapy if you have any of the side effects discussed in the articles. But if you have a good health condition and wants to do the treatment for anxiety or any of your personal trauma then this is the therapy for you. Always remember to have a way of communication to your doctor. Fill him with the details of your health now and then.