Skip to content

Cupping in kids

SHARE VIA:

Cupping has become a hot topic this weeks thanks to Michael Phelps’ noticeable marks as he swam to Olympic Gold. But what’s the basis for cupping, and in there any place for it in managing childhood disease?

What is cupping?

Cupping is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is seen as a branch of acupuncture.

Glass cups are applied over acupuncture sites. They can be filled with warm air and then turned upside down on the skin. Or they can be used as a vacuum alone. They are left for up to 30 minutes on the skin. During this time, they create a vacuum, and the idea is that they draw and poison (or Xi blockage) to the surface, cleansing the body.

Why does cupping leave purple marks?

This is usually due to pressure on the skin created by the vacuum. It causes capillaries to burst leaving purple marks in a circular shape. It is also possible to cause burns as the air is heated first – if it applied too quickly this can be hot.

That has gotta hurt…

Apparently, you just feel pressure and tightening rather than pain, but I haven’t tried cupping myself so cannot verify this. Some people report feeling relaxed.

What is cupping used to treat?

It can be used to treat a multitude of things according to some claims – arthritis, the common cold, stress, muscle injuries, paralysis, migraines, gastrointestinal problems, hyperactivity, you name it.

Is there any evidence to support this as a valid treatment?

I think Prof David Culquhoun puts it best in this BBC video where he describes it as ‘hocus pocus‘ and ‘a voluntary tax on the gullible

Although it has been claimed by ‘cupping practitioners’ that cupping is recommended in NICE guidelines, this simply is not the case. There is no evidence base for the efficacy of cupping at all.

Does anyone use this technique in children?

Unfortunately yes. This video shows two young children ‘enjoying’ cupping. The eerie background music sounds like a tense scene in a horror movie.

There is no place for using cupping as a treatment in children. There is no evidence at all showing its efficacy, and until there is, I’d recommend steering clear of it. A recent ScienceBlogs post demonstrates clearly what can go wrong. One to avoid.

Cuppingharm1

Author

  • Tessa Davis is a Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine at the Royal London Hospital and a Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London.

KEEP READING

Copy of Trial (1)

Bubble Wrap PLUS – March ’24

Plagiocephaly HEADER

An approach to the infant with plagiocephaly

Copy of Trial (1)

The 79th Bubble Wrap x Bristol Royal Hospital For Children

Brivudine HEADER

Brivudine for immunocompromised children with herpes zoster

NIV Status HEADER

NIV for status asthmaticus

,
Baby Check HEADER

The eight-week check

GameAware HEADER

Building Healthier Relationships With Gaming

Genitourinary symptoms in younger children

,
Conjunctivitis HEADER

Conjunctivitis in kids

Torsion HEADER

Testicular torsion

Copy of Trial (1)

Bubble Wrap PLUS – February 2024

Copy of Trial (1)

The 78th Bubble Wrap x Wexham Park Hospital

Cannadidiol in refractoryt epilepsy HEADER

Cannabidiol in refractory status epilepticus

,
SRSE

Super Refractory Status Epilepticus

, ,
Routine bloods

Choosing wisely – less can be more

,

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

1 thought on “Cupping in kids”

  1. HI Tessa , recently my 5 yo son came with cupping marks covering his back which I found very disturbing that someone would do this to a 5 yo , is it necessary ? What are the dangers ? Breaking blood vessels !??I would appreciate your expert opinion , do or don’t ? Kind regards

DFTB WORLD

EXPLORE BY TOPIC