Cupping Therapy in Ayurveda - Indian Medical System

Ayurveda is a rich science which has various time tested methods for pain management without medicines. Though Ayurveda had abundant examples of potent analgesics with a prevalence of western modern science, all vanished or have been banned by the government, marking those medicines as illegal as many of them are used as substance abused drugs. Therefore in recent decades, Ayurvedic physicians switched on to para-surgical procedures like leech therapy, Alabuchikitsa, Agnikarma, Marmachikitsa, etc. Shrunga and Alabu are types of cupping that have been described as different treatment modalities for bloodletting in different vitiated doshas. Alabuchikitsa which is commonly known as Cupping therapy is the oldest & most globally practiced medical treatment in human history. It is a traditional, time-honored treatment that remains favored by millions of people all over the world. It is a gentle therapy that uses negative pressure helping to loosen adhesions & draining fluids & toxins from the muscles & body. It brings a flow of fresh blood & nutrients to the muscles & skin. Cupping is incredibly effective for many health problems and is well described in our Samhitas especially SushrutaSamhita as below:

अवगाढे जलौका स्यात प्रच्छनं पिण्डिते हितं!
शिरान्गव्यपके रक्ते शृङ्गालाबु  त्वचि स्थिते !! 

It means when the infected blood is seated in the deepest planes/tissues, it should be let out by using the shrunga (horn). Horn of cow should be used. There are many uses n indications given in diseases where vata or pitta is vitiated. It can also be used in the patients of abscesses at various sites, skin disorders, etc. Cupping Therapy is a gentle therapy that uses negative pressure. The negative pressure releases tight tissues helping to loosen adhesions & draining fluids & toxins from the muscles & body. It brings a flow of fresh blood & nutrients to the muscles & skin. It is a safe & comfortable therapy, yet is very powerful & at the same time very relaxing. There are 2 types of cupping- dry and wet cupping which are further sub-divided into various advanced forms like massage cupping, fire cupping, etc. Cupping has gained publicity due to its use by American sport celebrities including National Football League player DeMarcus Ware and Olympians Alexander Naddour, Natalie Coughlin, and Michael Phelps and the numbers are huge. More and more people in the Western world are turning to ancient medical techniques like this. Cupping is also practiced at Harvard medical school and Johns Hopkins medical centre, two of the most prestigious medical centres in the world. It is clearly evident that this therapy has successfully survived the test of time and is really beneficial. But limited research has been done in INDIA to authenticate its benefits scientifically and more sincere efforts are required to explore this wonderful therapy. It should be used clinically more often and taught liberally to benefit ailing humanity.
Dr Rekha Phull
Associate Professor, 
Kayachikitsa
FIMS, SGT University
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