Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common conditions affecting the nerves of the hand and causes pain, numbness and a burning or tingling sensation in the hand and fingers. The following article, taken from Science Daily explains findings of a study that show how cupping therapy alleviates the pain caused by this condition.

The carpal tunnel is a small tunnel that runs from the bottom of the wrist to the lower palm. Nerves and tendons that control sensation and movements in your hand pass through the carpal tunnel. These nerve and tendons are protected by a ridge of bone and ligaments.

In the case of carpal tunnel syndrome, the space inside the tunnel shrinks, resulting in compression of the nerve and symptoms of pain and numbness.

Research paper details:

Michalsen A, Bock S, Lüdtke R, et al. Effects of Traditional cupping Therapy in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Volume 10, Issue 6, Pages 601-608 (June 2009).

Cupping Therapy Alleviates carpal tunnel syndrome Pain

A German study published in The Journal of Pain showed that an external suction technique mainly used outside the U.S., called cupping, is effective for providing temporary relief of pain from carpal tunnel syndrome (CPS).

Researchers from Immanuel Hospital Berlin randomly divided fifty-two CPS patients into treatment and control groups. The treatment group was given wet cupping therapy in which cupping glasses are applied to skin overlaying the trapezius muscle following 5 to 10 skin punctures with a sterile lancet. A partial vacuum is created by electromechanical or manual suction within the cupping glass after it is applied to the skin.

The technique is used as a healing method in China, India, Arabia, Central Europe and parts of Africa. Cupping is applied to defined zones of the shoulder triangle which are connective tissue zones at the shoulder-neck region. The technique is believed to increase microcirculation to help relieve CPS symptoms.

Results showed that CTS patients given cupping treatment experienced a highly significant decrease in CPS pain and other symptoms. A single treatment improved functional ability and quality for life for a week. The authors offered three possible explanations for the positive therapeutic action:

• Local bloodletting cause by cupping altered tissue perfusion and metabolism and may have affected the medial nerve function
• Cupping may have antinociceptive effects
• Cupping therapy simply might generate a powerful placebo effect.

Patient tolerated the treatments very well. In clinical practice, cupping can be performed conveniently and repeatedly. The authors noted that further studies are needed to assess the long-term value of cupping therapy for treatment of CPS pain.