Safety of Applying Cupping Therapy to Treat Musculoskeletal Pathologies

Abstract

Cupping therapy is becoming a popular therapeutic modality employed by athletic trainers and other allied healthcare professionals. It uses negative pressure to reduce pain, increase blood flow, and improve muscle function. Like many other therapeutic interventions, adverse effects related to cupping therapy treatment can occur. The majority of these effects-particularly muscle soreness-are mild and similar to those encountered in other treatments. While severe adverse events following treatment with cupping therapy have been reported, these events are rare and can often be explained by poor clinician education or flawed methodology. The risks associated with cupping therapy are comparable to, and sometimes fewer than, those associated with other contemporary therapeutic interventions. Proper clinician education, methodology, patient education, and patient communication are crucial when attempting to mitigate the risk of adverse effects related to cupping therapy.