Wet cupping therapy ameliorates pain in patients with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes: A controlled clinical study

Wet cupping (Al-hijamah) as a strange cause of ear trauma: A case report

BACKGROUND

Cupping therapy is used across the globe since ancient Egypt. It is used as a complementary or alternative to daily clinical practice. Cupping therapy could be dry or wet (Al-hijamah) type. It is considered a relatively safe procedure for a variety of clinical problems like lower backache, shoulder pain, neck pain, headache, and migraine. Application of cupping therapy over body orifices is contraindicated.

CASE SUMMARY

A 27-year-old gentleman presented with sudden left-sided hearing loss and tinnitus for 7 d. He gave a history of upper respiratory tract infection 14 d before his complaints. He received Al-hijamah over his left ear 3 d before seeking advice from the Otolaryngology clinic, but without benefit. Physical examination showed a dull-looking left ear drum, hemotympanum in the posterior part of the tympanic cavity, two blood clots over the eardrum, and multiple bleeding points over the external ear canal and tympanic membrane. A pure tone audiogram and tympanogram confirmed the diagnosis of middle ear effusion. Conservative treatment (avoidance of water entry, antibiotics, and local and systemic decongestants) was given for 5 d. The presenting symptoms as well as ear injuries resolved completely two weeks after the follow-up.

CONCLUSION

We do not recommend using Al-hijamah directly over the ear as a treatment option for hearing loss to avoid unwanted ear trauma as well as there is no benefit from this kind of treatment.

Knowledge and practice and attitude toward cupping therapy among physicians in Sheikh Khalifa medical city

Background

Complementary medicine (CM) is gaining popularity worldwide. According to the 2019 World Health Organization global report on traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM), 80% of member states acknowledged practicing T&CM. In the United Arab Emirates, T&CM practice prevalence in 2012 was 20-39%. These trends highlight physicians' need for knowledge on CM, such as cupping therapy.

Objective

This study aims to assess knowledge, practice, and attitude toward cupping therapy (CT) among physicians in Sheikh Khalifa medical city (SKMC).

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2020 to March 2021 among the physicians of SKMC. The survey was carried out using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire included four sections: socio-demographics, knowledge of physicians toward cupping therapy, physicians' attitude toward cupping therapy, and physicians' practice toward cupping therapy. SPSS version 28 was used for data analysis. Data were reported in frequencies and percentages. A P value of <0.05 is the level of statistical significance.

Results

The response rate was 83%. Among the 154 participants, 67.5% had adequate knowledge of CT, 66.9% showed a positive attitude, and 31.2% reported good practice toward CT. Individuals below 40 years reported significantly lesser knowledge than individuals over 40 years (p = 0.035, OR 0.49 [0.246-0.998]). Over 80% of physicians concur that cupping therapy can be used to treat and manage low back pain, joint discomfort, headache, migraine, and anxiety. The majority of physicians believe that education regarding cupping therapy is required.

Conclusions

Most physicians had adequate knowledge and a positive attitude toward cupping therapy.

Utilization of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for the Management of Cardiovascular Diseases Among Adults in Ajman, United Arab Emirates

BACKGROUND

As the general population is expanding their choices regarding healthcare, many are opting for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in addition to or instead of conventional modes of treatment, for the management of various health conditions.

AIMS

This study investigated the utilization of CAM for the management of various cardiovascular diseases as well as its risk factors among the adult population in Ajman, UAE.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted upon receiving approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB). This cross-sectional study was conducted by administering an interviewer-administered questionnaire, consisting of three domains aimed at assessing the sociodemographic features and use of CAM and factors associated with the use among the respondents. A total of 414 responses were collected from adults residing in Ajman, UAE, who consented to participate in the study. A chi-square test was performed on Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27.0, Armonk, NY) to assess the association between the use of CAM and factors. Statistical significance was set to p ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS

Out of 414 participants in the study, 57% of the participants used CAM before, while 43% of the participants never used CAM. Among the CAM users, 23% used it for anxiety and stress, 7.6% utilized it for the management of hypertension, 3.3% used it for high cholesterol, 3.1% for obesity, 1.9% for chronic kidney disease, 0.9% used it for diabetes mellitus, 0.5% used it for stroke, and 0.5% used it for heart failure.

CONCLUSIONS

From the results of the study, it can be concluded that the majority (57%) of the participants have used CAM before. Most of the participants utilized CAM to manage chronic conditions (81.9%).

The Effect of Wet Cupping (Al-hijamah) and Limonene on Oxidative Stress and Biochemical Parameters in Diabetic Rats

Background: According to the international diabetes federation, 629 million adults will suffer from diabetes by 2045. Wet cupping therapy is a combination of bleeding and dry cupping and has been used in traditional medicine as a complementary therapy for diabetes. Limonene was shown to have both antioxidant and antidiabetic activity but its potential alongside other treatments has not been thoroughly explored. Objectives: Although wet-cupping therapy is widely used under different conditions, its potential in the treatment of diabetes is not well-examined. Methods: Male Wistar rats were then injected with alloxan and nicotinamide to induce diabetes. After cupping, the rats’ serum nitric oxide, creatinine, SGPT, SGOT, cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, GPX, urea, and HDL levels were determined. The glutathione, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde, and protein level of the serum, renal, and liver were then measured. Results: The results showed a significant differences in serum glucose levels among the diabetic rats receiving wet cupping and limonene, in serum glutathione levels in diabetic rats receiving limonene or limonene and wet cupping compared to the diabetic rats, in liver GSH levels in control rats receiving limonene and wet cupping, in the liver GPX activity in control rats receiving limonene, and in liver catalase activity in control rats receiving limonene and wet cupping compared to control group. There was no significant change in serum NO, protein, creatinine, SGPT, SGOT, cholesterol, triglyceride MDA, urea, catalase, HDL, renal GSH, MDA, catalase, liver protein, and MDA Level. Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggested that a combination of limonene and wet cupping therapy could be presented as an agent to lower elevated blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. Further clinical studies are required to confirm the findings.