The Effectiveness of Cupping Therapy on Relieving Chronic Neck and Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• DOI: 10.1155/2016/7358918
• Publication Date: 2016-03-17T21:03:25Z
• Authors: Lee-Mei Chi; Li-Mei Lin; Chien-Lin Chen; Shu-Fang Wang; Hui-Ling Lai; Tai-Chu Peng
• Keywords: Cupping therapy; Neck pain; Intensity

The research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cupping therapy (CT) in changes on skin surface temperature (SST) for relieving chronic neck and shoulder pain (NSP) among community residents. A single-blind experimental design constituted sixty subjects with self-perceived NSP. were randomly allocated two groups. group received CT at SI 15, GB 21, LI 15 acupuncture points, control no intervention. Pain was assessed using SST, visual analog scale (VAS), blood pressure (BP). main results SST 21 point raised from 30.6°C 32.7°C 30.7°C group. Neck intensity (NPI) severity scores reduced 9.7 3.6 9.5 NPI differences between groups statistically significant (P < 0.001). One treatment is shown increase SST. In conjunction physiological effect subjective experience NSP intensity. Further studies are required improve understanding potential long-term effects CT.