10/04/2022
As an ancient therapy, cupping has a long history in many places, such as China, Greece, Egypt, and the Middle East.
In China, cupping has been practiced for more than 2000 years. In ancient China, it was called Jiao Fa (角法 horn method), as animal horns [Figure 1] and [Figure 2] were used as cupping instrument, but nowadays it is also called Huo Guan (火罐Fire Cupping). The cupping method that we are using nowadays was developed during the Song dynasty.[1],[2]
Figure 1: Animal horn that is used as cupping instrument
Figure 2: Animal horns that are used as cupping instrument
Cupping therapy can also be found in the records of the ancient Greek medicine [Figure 3], and it is thought to be introduced by the Egyptian physician. Both Hippocrates and Galen were staunch advocates and users of cupping therapy. Cupping was also used to treat severe illnesses in ancient Greece.[3],[4],[5]
Figure 3: Cupping instrument that used in ancient Greek
In western countries, cupping therapy is originated from Egypt. Records of cupping therapy [Figure 4] were found in the Ebers Papyrus, the world's earliest medical text written circa 1550 BCE. The main purpose for ancient Egyptian to perform cupping was removing foreign matter from the body.[6]
Figure 4: Ancient Egyptian medical instrument was depicted in a Ptolemaic period inscription at the Temple of Kom Ombo
Cupping therapy was then introduced to the Islamic world [Figure 5] and Persians through the Alexandrians and Byzantines. Cupping is called “Hijamah” in traditional Islam medicine, and it is still been practiced in the Middle East. It is also one of the therapeutic methods recommended and used by the founder of the Islam religion, the Prophet Muhammad.[7],[8]
Figure 5: Islamic physician is performing cupping therapy
There are a great variety of cups or jars used in cupping, but the commonly used cups are glass cups [Figure 6] and bamboo cups. Between the two, glass cups are the most widely used in clinical practice. It is transparent, and hence, the local congestion at the cupping site can be seen to control the treatment. Bamboo cups are made from bamboo segment, with one end opening and the other end closed.