Introduction to cupping and quality of life in patients with chronic diseases
Cupping (or Wet Cuping) is a common complementary medicine practice in Saudi Arabia, and has been used with patients suffering from chronic diseases and painful symptoms for many years. One of the most important assessments in medical research is health-related quality of life (HRQOL), an objective measure that shows how a patient’s daily life is affected by disease and treatment.
Impacts in the areas of quality of life
Psychological field (Psychological):
Patients experienced improvements in their psychological state after cupping, such as feelings of well-being and psychological satisfaction.
Social Domain (Social Relationships):
Improvements in social relationships appeared after cupping compared to before, indicating an indirect support effect on social interaction.
Environmental field (Environment):
Improvements were also observed in patients’ assessment of environmental factors (living environment, comfort, safety).
In general, all areas of quality of life improved after cupping in patients who received the session compared to the group that did not receive it.
Why is this improvement happening? Scientific explanations
There are several possible mechanisms that could explain the improvement in quality of life after cupping:
1) Relieve chronic pain
Pain is the main reason that prompted the majority of patients to request cupping (such as joint, back, and neck pain).
When pain decreases, daily functions and physical activity improve, which directly affects quality of life.
2) Psychological impact and mental support
Improved psychological well-being may be a result of patients feeling that they are receiving therapeutic attention, which increases their sense of improvement and control over the disease.
3) Indirect effects on social activities
Physical and psychological improvement may help patients interact better socially, enhancing their sense of well-being and integration into society.
Additional notes from the study
Reasons for referral to the clinic:
Pain was the main cause in more than 70% of participants, followed by headache, infertility, and allergies.
Impact of personal factors:
Women and non-smokers appear to have benefited more from the improvement in quality of life than the rest of the groups.
Treatment safety:
The majority of participants did not report any complications after cupping in this study.
Conclusion: What does the study prove?
Wet cupping significantly improves the quality of life in patients with chronic diseases, especially in those who suffer from chronic pain.
Improvement includes physical, psychological, social and environmental areas.
Cupping can be considered an additional (complementary) treatment and not a complete substitute for usual medical treatment.
Practical recommendation:
If you suffer from a chronic illness accompanied by pain or restrictions in daily activities, cupping – under the supervision of a qualified professional – may be a complementary option that positively benefits your quality of life, but it should be coordinated with your basic medical treatment plan.
The main source on which the article is based
Saudi study derived from Saudi Medical Journal entitled:
The effect of wet coffee on quality of life of adult patients with chronic medical conditions in King Abdulaziz University Hospital. (PMC)