Continuing Education Activity
Cupping therapy can generally be described as a technique that uses cups placed over the skin to create negative pressure through suction. Cupping therapy dates back to ancient times and was used around the world. In 400 BC, Herodotus listed wet and dry cupping as a treatment for many ailments, including maldigestion, lack of appetite, and headaches. This activity describes the technique, indications, and contraindications of cupping therapy.
Objectives:
Identify the technique of cupping therapy.
Describe the indications for cupping therapy.
Review the clinical relevance of cupping therapy
Outline the importance of improving care coordination among interprofessional team members to improve outcomes for patients undergoing cupping therapy.
Introduction
Cupping therapy can generally be described as a technique that uses cups placed over the skin to create negative pressure through suction.
Cupping therapy dates back to ancient times and was used around the world. In 400 BC, Herodotus listed wet and dry cupping as a treatment for many ailments, including maldigestion, lack of appetite, and headaches.[1] Hippocrates advocated cupping for gynecological complaints, back and extremity illnesses, pharyngitis, lung diseases, and ear ailments.[1] Cupping therapy was mentioned in the famous Papyrus Ebers in Ancient Egypt (1550 BC).[1] In the Middle East, cupping was advocated for by prominent physicians like Abu Bakr Al-Razi (AD 854-925), Ibn Sina (AD 98
