Partial evaluation of technique used in cupping therapy

ABSTRACT

Cupping is an ancient mode of therapy for various ailments, practiced and recommended by ancient healers. Current study was aimed to scientifically evaluate the efficacy of the technique used in cupping, i.e. suction and removal of blood after giving superficial incisions on skin at various specific points on the body. Since the treatment lies simply in removal of blood from specific areas, and no medication is involved, hence the study was designed to evaluate the significance of alone removal of blood by comparing and analyzing the difference between the compositions of blood samples, obtained through cupping technique versus blood drawn intravenously. 25 healthy male individuals were selected randomly between ages 21-30. Blood samples were collected from vein and cupping site of each individual for the analysis of hematological and biochemical parameters. There was a significant change in almost all parameters tested as compared to the venous blood samples; the quantity of blood drawn through both method was same i.e. 5 ml, yet significant difference in the composition of all cupping blood samples was observed. On the basis of result we can assume that there might be some unknown substance present in the blood which is drawn and discarded through cupping and removal of which might be creating a favorable balance between various vital parameters