Wet Cupping Therapy Ameliorates Pain in Patients with Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, and Diabetes: A Controlled Clinical Study

Abstract Background Cupping therapy has long been practiced in several cultures for the treatment of ailments and improvement of general well-being. Thus, the aim of this current study is to observe the clinical efficacy and safety of wet cupping treatments in relieving headache, chest pain and muscle ache in patients recently have diagnosed with hyperlipidemia, diabetes and high blood pressure. Materials and Methods This study determines the effects of wet cupping on some blood parameters and pressure in 50 males and 50 female patients aged between 35 to 55 years undergoing wet cupping therapy at the Sheefa Cupping and Acupuncture Private Center after they have been diagnosed clinically to have hyperglycemia, diabetes and high blood pressure by a specialist at Department of Chronic Diseases, Sulaimani Teaching Hospital. Venous blood was obtained, and blood pressure taken from patients immediately before and 72 hours after cupping therapy. The hematological parameters and serum lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, ferritin, urea, and creatinine concentrations were determined. Results Wet cupping significantly reduced the cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, fasting blood sugar, ferritin, urea, and creatinine, lowered blood pressure but did not significantly affect the erythrocyte parameters, leukocyte or platelet counts in the patients. The normal hematological parameters in patients after wet cupping therapy showed that the treatment is not detrimental to health. The treated patients showed significantly reduced headache, chest pain and muscle ache verbally. Conclusion Wet cupping therapy is beneficial as a prophylactic and/or complementary treatment for hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension and in prevention and control of diabetes mellitus and kidney disease, hence reducing the headache, chest pain and muscle ache.