Cupping is an ancient procedure that has been practiced for thousands of years. It has been used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including dermatological ones. Cupping has been described in the literature for the treatment of conditions such as acne and eczema. The procedure is fundamentally divided into dry cupping and wet cupping; however, there have been many modern adaptations. Adverse events related to the procedure have been reported in the literature and should be considered by patients. However, cupping has a promising role in helping manage dermatological conditions.

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Since ancient times, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM; bǔ chōng yǔ tì dài yī xué) have played an important role in human health and welfare. Many therapeutic approaches in healthcare outside the realm of conventional medicine persist in various parts of the world. There is considerable scientific and commercial potential in CAM, which needs to beexplored precisely. Cupping therapy ( bá guàn liáo fǎ), one of the CAM, is practiced across the world. This therapy is believed to act by correcting imbalances in the internal bio field, such as by restoring the flow of"Qi (qì)". Cupping involves applying a heated cup to generate a partial vacuum that mobilizes the blood flow and promotes effective healing. This review outlines various tools and techniques of cupping therapy.

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OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effect differences between electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B 2) combined with blood-letting plus cupping and western medicine therapy.

METHODS: Fifty-three cases were randomly divided into an observation group (n=31) and a control group (n=22). The observation group was treated by electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B 2) combined with blood-letting with a plum-blossom needle at the affected parts plus cupping, once each day. The control group was treated by oral administration of Valaciclovir Hydrochlordide, Indomethacin, Vitamin B1 and Vitamin B12.

RESULTS: The cured and markedly effective rate of 96.8% in the observation group was better than that of 81.8% in the control group (P<0.05), and improvements of pain, pruritus, burning sensation and sleep in the observation group were superior to those of the control group (all P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B 2) combined with blood-letting and cupping is a better therapy for herpes zoster and its therapeutic effect is better than that of routine western medicine therapy.

In the present paper, 45 cases of acute trigeminal neuralgia were treated and observed by comparative method. Results showed no significant difference in transient analgesic effect (P>0.05) but a significant difference in therapeutic effect (P<0.01) between the treatment and control groups. This indicates that blood-letting puncture with cupping is an effective therapy for the disease.

In the present paper, 45 cases of acute trigeminal neuralgia were treated and observed by comparative method. Results showed no significant difference in transient analgesic effect (P>0.05) but a significant difference in therapeutic effect (P<0.01) between the treatment and control groups. This indicates that blood-letting puncture with cupping is an effective therapy for the disease.

Cupping Therapy (CT) is an ancient method and currently used in the treatment of a broad range of medical conditions. Nonetheless the mechanism of action of (CT) is not fully understood. This review aimed to identify possible mechanisms of action of (CT) from modern medicine perspective and offer possible explanations of its effects. English literature in PubMed, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar was searched using key words. Only 223 articles identified, 149 records screened, and 74 articles excluded for irrelevancy. Only 75 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, included studies in this review were 64. Six theories have been suggested to explain the effects produced by cupping therapy. Pain reduction and changes in biomechanical properties of the skin could be explained by"Pain-Gate Theory","Diffuse Noxious Inhibitory Controls"and"Reflex zone theory". Muscle relaxation, changes in local tissue structures and increase in blood circulation might be explained by"Nitric Oxide theory". Immunological effects and hormonal adjustments might be attributed to"Activation of immune system theory". Releasing of toxins and removal of wastes and heavy metals might be explained by"Blood Detoxification Theory". These theories may overlap or work interchangeably to produce various therapeutic effects in specific ailments and diseases. Apparently, no single theory exists to explain the whole effects of cupping. Further researches are needed to support or refute the aforesaid theories, and also develop innovative conceptualizations of (CT) in future.

To observe the therapeutic effect on acne treated with blood-letting puncture, cupping and Chinese-drug facemask. Thirty-two patients with acne were treated with above-mentioned therapeutic method. Cure, improvement and ineffectiveness were respectively found in 24, 7 and 1 case, with a curative rate of 75.0% and a total effective rate of 96.8%. The combination of blood-letting puncture, cupping and external application of Chinese-drug facemask is effective in treating acne.