Perceptions of cupping therapy for chronic pain: A prospective case series

Abstract

The present study is designed to determine whether chronic pain syndrome (lower and upper back pain) before and after cupping is the same or there are significant treatment differences. Perception due to cupping of here and now pain sensation; sensation of pain at worst conditions; sensation of pain at best conditions; and tolerated sensation of pain; all before and after cupping were rated on 0 to 10 pain scale. It was hypothesized that there is a significant statistical difference before and after cupping, and cupping is effective in lessening and desensitizing chronic pain among lower and upper back pain subjects. Subjects were drawn on convenience sampling basis, where 95 males and females were recruited for the purpose of investigation. Results indicate that cupping therapy is effective procedure in reducing and alleviating chronic pain, where true statistical differences were obtained. It was found after the study that cupping therapy as an alternative medical technique is an effective and fruitful enough either for the management of upper and lower back pain or the control of such annoying medical conditions.

Keywords: Perception, cupping therapy, chronic pain, lower and upper back pain.