Review on cupping therapy (al-hijama): A miraculous alternative system of medicine, which is an unbeatable cure for all ailments

Abstract

Objective: Cupping therapy (al-hijama) is time and again used and repeatedly promoted for the symptomatic treatment of various diseases and ailments. As it is currently outdated, the main aim of this review is to make people aware of its importance and popularize it worldwide as it is an efficient cure for major diseases.Method: Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on cupping therapy (al-hijama) for a variety of ailments were incorporated. This review focused on theories and hypotheses that explain various mechanisms of cupping therapy and its treatment for diseases from a modern medicine perspective. Theories related to traditional systems of medicine such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Unani Medicine was included in this review.Results: Diseases for which cupping therapy (al- hijama) was generally functional were fibromyalgia, fibrositosis, cervical spondylosis, sciatica, gouty arthritis, skin related ailments, osteoarthritis, pain, hyperlipidemia, persistent low back pain, chronic non-specific neck pain, non-specific low back pain, acute and chronic pain management, headache in migraine, cellulitis, gynecological disorders, etc.Conclusion: Several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on cupping therapy (al-hijama) have been accomplished and published throughout the past decades. This review demonstrated that cupping therapy has a potential effect in the treatment of fibromyalgia, fibrositosis, cervical spondylosis, sciatica, gouty arthritis, skin related ailments, osteoarthritis, pain, hyperlipidemia, persistent low back pain, chronic non-specific neck pain, non-specific low back pain, acute and chronic pain management, headache in migraine, cellulitis, gynecological disorders, etc. and other particular conditions. Nevertheless, additional thoroughly designed trials on its efficiency for other conditions are necessary.