Synonyms/Common Names/Related Substances:

• Acupuncture, acupuncture combined with moxibustion, acu-moxibustion, baguanfa (Chinese), blood letting, chinetsukyu (Japanese), classical acupuncture, coining, cupping, direct cone moxibustion, five element acupuncture, horn technique, jiaofa, Korean belly bowls, kyukaku (Japanese), kyutoshin (Japanese), liquid cupping, moxa, moxa on the head of the acupuncture needle, okyu (Japanese), rice-sized direct moxa, shuiguanfa (Chinese), suction cup therapy, TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine, zhenjiu (Chinese).
• Not included in this review: Acupuncture, acupressure, classical acupuncture, five element acupuncture, TCM. For a more in-depth review of these topics, please see individual monographs.

Clinical Bottom Line/Effectiveness

Brief Background:

• Cupping and moxibustion share the principle of using heat to stimulate circulation and break up congestion or stagnation of blood and chi. Cupping has some relation to the massage technique tuina, which uses rapid skin pinching at points on the back to break up congestion and stimulate circulation (1). Moxibustion is more closely related to acupuncture as it is applied to specific acupuncture points, while cupping may be used over acupuncture points or elsewhere.
• Cupping and moxibustion are healing techniques that have been employed across the diverse traditions of acupuncture and oriental medicine for over 2,000 years. In modern times, both methods are usually used to complement acupuncture with needles but they may be used independently.
• The literature on these techniques consists predominantly of opinion based on clinical experience, case reports, and a few case series reports in which the methods of observation and analysis are not clear or consistent. In 2005, the first study (NCT00010491) to test treatment protocols using acupuncture and moxibustion on patients with HIV experiencing chronic diarrhea commenced sponsored by National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR).

Technique

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Precautions/Contraindications

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Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

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Mechanism of Action

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History

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Evidence Table

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Evidence Discussion

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Products Studied

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Author Information

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References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

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