Dubai: The Ministry of Health (MOH) has urged residents to exercise caution when opting for cupping therapy, a form of treatment under Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM).
Cupping practices must be carried out inside an authorised medical centre and directly supervised by a medical team, according to the Ministry regulations. It must not be practiced in homes or herbal shops.
Dr Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practices and Licensing at the MOH, said that the public must fully understand the right concepts of cupping. He warned against misleading information regarding cupping marks, wounds and safety aspects that could cause complications, affecting the health of individuals.
'Treatment of simple diseases'
In a media statement he said, “The Ministry supports cupping practitioners who are authorised by the Ministry and work under the supervision of a medical team and in medical centres. Cupping therapy enhances the treatment of simple diseases. It does not treat diseases like cancer, AIDS, hepatitis, blood lymph cells or other viral diseases but supports the traditional treatment techniques through modern medicine.”
Gulf News spoke to a few Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners to understand cupping therapy and its risks.
Dr. Zhou Lei at Beijing TongRenTang, a Chinese medicinal services facility in Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), said cupping is classified under two categories — dry and wet. “Dry cupping uses heat to create a small area of low air pressure next to the skin; wet cupping involves making superficial incisions to aid controlled medicinal bleeding. The latter removes excess blood toxins. Cupping is used to treat patients with respiratory, fertility and digestive conditions among others.”
'Opens up the meridians'
According to the Dubai Herbal & Treatment Centre, cupping therapy is usually performed on the back. The treatment opens the meridians — path through which the life-energy flows — allowing the internal energy to flow through the whole body, triggering the lymphatic system and clearing the blood vessels.
Dr Shan Xu from the Centre said that it is a safe procedure. “Patients usually opt for cupping to treat headaches, backache and menstrual pain. It is also a treatment option for those looking to detox.”
Infection rate
She added that cupping has a low infection rate. “The incisions [in wet cupping] are medically done with procedures and precautions to prevent infections. Patients are advised to keep the area dry. In dry cupping, patients will have marks on the skin for a few days.”
Dr Li Xiao Ling from the Chaslu Dubai Wellbeing Centre has more than 10 patients a month for cupping therapy. She said there is a thorough consultation before any patient is advised cupping therapy. “The risks are explained as well as the stipulated healing time.”
