The novel coronavirus pandemic began in 2019, in Wuhan, Hubei province by acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Due to its intensive and rapid human-to-human transmission, the viral disease has resulted in substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. The signs and symptoms of Covid-19 can range from presenting asymptomatically to severe and life-threatening when combined with respiratory tract sepsis, cytokine storm and macrophage activation syndrome. While several studies have indicated the benefit of acupuncture, nigella sativa seed, and other traditional Chinese medicines that have anti-novel coronavirus effects in managing Covid-19 at different stages, sparse studies have assessed the effects of cupping therapy in this new pandemic. 

The National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) defines cupping therapy as “a traditional practice, most notably in traditional medicine, which involves placing cups on the skin to create suction believed to help increase blood flow and promote healing associated with chronic neck pain and low back pain in the short term”. The therapeutic benefits of cupping therapy go well beyond managing chronic pain such as low back pain, shoulder pain and neck pain. These include high fever due to infection of the upper respiratory tract, pulmonary dysfunctions in asthmatic children, type 2 diabetes mellitus, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, myocardial infarction and cardiac arrhythmias and chronic fatigue syndrome. Cupping therapy, therefore, may alleviate the most common symptoms and signs of COVID-19. 

Symptomatic Benefits of Cupping Therapy for Covid-19

Fever: Fever is among the most common signs and symptoms observed at the beginning of COVID‑19 in up to 90% of patients. A recent study observed the antipyretic effect of dry cupping therapy on the meridian-based system. Cupping therapy was used in 103 cases to treat fever with a median average of 39-39.9°C in upper respiratory tract infections. After cupping therapy, the temperature dropped to 38.5°C after one hour, 37°C after 6 hours, and 36.8°C after 14 hours.

Dry Cough: Dry cough is the second most common early sign and symptom in p60%-86% of patients. While studies are currently limited on dry cough symptoms seen with Covid-19 and cupping therapy, studies focusing on the common cold showed cupping therapy could relieve symptoms of asthma, dry cough, and muscle pain. Cupping therapy by stimulating the meridian system may ameliorate cough in COVID-19 patients.