• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2022

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of wet cupping on the treatment of mental illness. A total of 2,670 studies were retrieved using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases, and of these, 2,661 were excluded due to not meeting the inclusion criteria. There were 9 articles included in this review including 1,124 individuals who received wet cupping. Mental health was explored in, those who had migraines, metabolic syndrome, smoking addiction, post-traumatic stress, chronic medical disease, and depression. As an intervention procedure, the triple S technique was used in all studies. Only 3 studies reported that none of the participants complained of adverse events during or after the cupping therapy. In all studies, wet cupping was reported to be effective in reducing psychological symptoms. However, there are few randomized controlled trials testing the e?ectiveness of wet cupping in the treatment of mental health, and most are of poor quality. Therefore, more rigorous studies are required before the effectiveness of wet cupping for the treatment of mental illness can be determined.

• Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.375-379
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• 2018

Background and aim: Heavy metals have been recognized as toxins for centuries. Cupping therapy has been shown to aid in the excretion of accumulated fluids and toxins from the interstitial fluid. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of wet cupping therapy on blood levels of heavy metals. Methods: Thirteen healthy male individuals [mean age ${\pm}$ standard deviation, $28.47{\pm}6.18$] participated in this study. Venous blood samples were collected 5 min before and 30 days after the wet cupping therapy. Five points of the posterior neck and bilateral perispinal areas of the neck and thoracic spine were selected for cupping therapy. The levels of aluminium (Al), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: The levels of heavy metals (Al, Zn, and Cd) after cupping therapy were significantly lower than the levels before therapy. Conclusions: These results suggest that wet cupping therapy has an excretory effect on the kidney. Wet cupping therapy may clear blood from excess heavy metals.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.789-793
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• 2007

To evaluate the effectiveness of cupping and bloodletting therapy in the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases. Systematic searches were conducted on KSI, KISTI, DB Pia, KIOM Database, and Koreamed until January 2007 Hand-searches included conference proceedings and our own files. There were no restrictions regarding the language of journals published in Korea. Controlled trials of dry cupping, wet cupping, or blood letting for patients with musculoskeletal disease were considered for inclusion. Trials testing other forms of dry cupping therapy were included. Methodological quality was assessed by two doctors. 20 possibly relevant studies were identified and 5 studies were included. One trial tested wet cupping for ankle sprain and reported positive result. Two trials tested blood letting for low back pain, one was positive and the other one was neutral. One trial tested the types of dry cupping for low back pain, and Ki-gong cupping therapy was superior to other two types of cupping. One trial compared wet cupping with dry cupping for low back pain and the result was negative. The effectiveness of bloodletting plus acupuncture for treating patients with low back pain is superior to acupuncture in spite of low quality. One trial of wet cupping for ankle sprain had effects in reducing pain. However, I suggest that the rigorous RCTs of cupping and blood letting therapy will be conducted in well designed features.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.181-212
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• 2023

Objectives: To examine the efficacy and safety of cupping therapy for insomnia disorder and provide clinical evidence that could contribute to further research. Methods: We searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that verified effects of cupping therapy for insomnia disorder from 11 domestic and foreign databases. Included studies were evaluated using Risk of Bias (RoB). Results: Nineteen RCTs were selected. Wet cupping was more frequently used than dry cupping. Moving cupping was mostly used among dry cupping methods. Dry cupping was mainly performed in Bladder Meridian on the back. Wet cupping was mainly performed on BL18, LR14, and BL15. The most common treatment period was 4 weeks. The average number of treatments per week was about 2.4 times for all types of cupping, about 3.2 times for dry cupping and about 1.9 times for wet cupping. All selected studies showed a significant sleep improvement compared to the control group. As a result of the meta-analysis, in terms of effective rate, SAS score, and SDS score, the wet cupping in combination with acupuncture was significantly more effective than acupuncture alone, although the quality of selected RCTs was low. Conclusions: Cupping therapy is effective for insomnia disorder. Based on results of this study, it is reasonable to use wet cupping two times per week on BL18, LR14, and BL15 or use moving cupping three times per week in Bladder Meridian on the back for 4 weeks to treat insomnia disorder.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.224-232
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• 2022

Objectives: Routine therapies cannot control refractory stable angina, leading to a high economic burden and an impaired quality of life. Persian medicine incorporates exceptional attention to lifestyle and nutrition to prevent and treat various diseases. Previous studies have reported the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of wet cupping. The present study aims to determine the effects of nutrition and cupping on refractory stable angina patients. Methods: Forty male patients with refractory stable angina were randomly allocated to four groups, including nutrition modification based on Persian medicine, wet cupping, nutrition modification along with wet cupping, and control. The primary outcomes were the changes in pain score using a visual analog scale and quality of life using the Seattle angina questionnaire. The secondary outcomes were changes in the exercise test and blood pressure. Results: The results of the present study revealed that 30 days of treatment with nutrition modification based on Persian medicine, cupping, and modified nutrition and cupping along with standard treatment for stable angina significantly increased the patient's quality of life and exercise test results while reducing pain, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion: Applying complementary Persian medicine methods such as nutrition modification and cupping along with the classical medical treatments may improve outcomes for refractory stable angina patients.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.169-191
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was performed to report the present situation of the cupping treatment to make standardization of cupping treatment in Korea. Methods : We searched relevant case reports, surveys, and review articles using a databases of online bibliography. And we had research to oriental medical doctor with questionnaire about the cupping treatment. Results : 1. Cupping treatment is used for diagnoisis, protection and treatment for many kinds of diseases such as musculoskeletal diseases, internal diseases, sequela of cerebral attacks and so on in Korea. 2. Adequate cupping area is the area of lesion. 3. Cupping time and pressure are various. 4. Adequate amount of venesection is 10cc. 5. Adequate dry cupping term is 1 time/day and adequate wet cupping term is 1 time/2~3days. 6. Cognition of adverse reaction of cupping treatment is different among the doctors. 7. Method of disinfection of cup is different among the doctors. Conclusions : The result of this study will help to make the a guideline of cupping treatment. And we have to go ahead studying to make standardization of cupping treatment.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.94-98
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• 2023

A forty-three-year-old male patient was diagnosed with an acute abscess in the dorsum of the right hand. On the 5th day of conventional pharmacological therapy the patient was still suffering, and was referred to the Outpatient department (OPD) to evacuate and drain the abscess and treat the edema around the area with Hijama (wet cupping therapy, WCT). The hand abscess was successfully cured within a week using an integrative approach of wet cupping therapy together with conventional drug therapy.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.21-32
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• 2018

Objectives This study was designed to investigate the effects of wet cupping on Wisu (BL12) in non-acute low back pain patients. Methods We recruited 30 participants for this study. Fifteen patients were randomly assigned to the Wisu (BL21) treatment group (WT group) and 15 were assigned to the non-acupoint treatment group (NT group). Both groups were treated with the pricking-cupping bloodletting method three times. Values at baseline and follow-up were analyzed by Wilcoxon signed rank test and the differences between the two groups were determined by Wilcoxon rank sum test. p-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. The primary outcome was the visual analogue scale (VAS), and secondary outcomes were the Oswestry disability index (ODI), Rolland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), Euroqol-5 dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) and finger-to-ground distance (FTGD). These outcomes were measured on the day of first treatment before the procedure and on follow-up 7 days after the last treatment. Results Significant changes were identified in the VAS for pain and ODI in each group after wet cupping treatment on Wisu (p<0.05). However, no significant changes were found between groups. Meanwhile, RMDQ and EQ-5D were significantly decreased only in the NT group (p<0.05) without any differences between groups. FTGD was decreased in both groups, but not significantly. Conclusions Wet cupping with both Wisu treatment and non-acupoint had significant effects on non-acute low back pain, although there were no differences between the two groups. A large-scale study is needed to identify the effect of wet cupping on Wisu.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.351-355
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• 2023

Background: Wet cupping (WC) is an efficient and cost-effective technique for removing metabolic waste from the bloodstream via the skin. The study aimed to examine the effect of WC on cholesterol levels including total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in a Sudanese population. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 30 participants undergoing regular WC therapy were enrolled. Blood samples collected twice: pre-WC therapy (case group) and 10-14 days afterward (controls). Results: Of the participants, 56.67% were male and 43.33% were female, aged 24-69. Pre-WC TC and LDL-C levels were significantly higher than the post-WC control group (p = 0.001). Conversely, HDL-C levels decreased significantly in the pre-WC cases compared to controls (p = 0.001). No significant sex-based difference in mean cholesterol levels (p > 0.05). Conclusions: After WC, males and females experienced significant reductions in TC and LDL-C, and significant increase in HDL-C.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.85-95
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• 2002

Objectives : Daechu (Dazhui:GV14 (Governor Vessel 14))-point is located between the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra and that of the 1st thoracic vertebra. GV14 has been used to treat hypertension, high fever, neck pain, common cold, headache and so on. Hypertension often negatively affects the improvement of stroke patients. We investigated whether wet-cupping at GV14 had any effect of decreasing blood pressure (BP). Methods : In this study, 81 stroke patients were studied, from Oct. 2000 to Sept. 2001. They were composed of a Sample group (n=36) and Control group (n=45). The Sample group (n=36) was divided into Sample-Normal (n=9), Sample-Mild (n=7), Sample-Moderate (n=l1), and Sample-Severe group (n=9). The Control group (n=45) was divided into Control-Moderate (n=34) and Control-Severe group (n=ll). We checked blood pressure 5 times (just before treatment, then after 30,60, 90, and 120min. (2hrs.)) in each sample group and 3 times (baseline, after 30, and after 120min. (2hrs)) in the control group. Results : In a comparison of before-treatment BP and after-treatment BP in the sample group, SBP significantly decreased as time passed, while DBP slightly decreased but not significantly. In comparison of BP differences in each sample subgroup, BP slightly increased in the Sample-Normal group, but significantly decreased in the Sample-Mild, Sample-Moderate, and Sample-Severe groups. In comparison of BP differences between the sample and control groups, SBP and DBP of the sample group definitely decreased more than those of the control group, but not significantly. Conclusions : This study suggests that wet-cupping at GV14 has significant decreasing effectson blood pressure in stroke patients. Accordingly, we hope that this measure will be used more widely as an emergent treatment for increased blood pressure.