The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has introduced cupping therapy service to improve patients' health, speed up recovery process and ensure patients' safety.
PHCC said the therapeutic programme is being implemented by a host of physicians trained in cupping technology and is allocated based on the needs of each patient.
Regarding the method for accessing the therapeutic service, PHCC outlined that it can be obtained through the family physician who simply transfers the appropriate cases based on approved standards.
In addition, patients who are included in this programme are primarily those diagnosed with chronic headache due to unknown causes, refractory migraine, carpal tunnel syndrome without indication for surgical intervention, muscle imbalance and postural dysfunction, refractory muscle spasms, neck and upper or lower back pain, chronic diseases such as eczema and asthma and skin diseases like acne.
Cupping therapy was launched last February as a pilot phase at the Umm Slal Health Centre to be eventually expanded in some health centres during the upcoming period, PHCC outlined, pointing out that such a step is intended to achieve its vision in providing a comprehensive and integrated health service by focusing on individuals, in addition to working steadfastly to meet all patients needs based on the highest global standards.
It noted that cupping therapy is an alternative medicine and a form of traditional medicine that has been practiced since ancient times and it is being used in several parts of the world, including China and Middle East to promote health, prevention and treatment, as well as being a tranquilizer for chronic pain through using wet cupping.
The corporation pointed out that cure through cupping is consistent with Islamic Shariah law and it was mentioned in many Islamic prophetic Hadiths.
It has many advantages that include improvement of blood flow and reduction of the buildup of toxics in the human body, heading off pain and headache, strengthening the nervous system and increasing the scope of movement and flexibility.
The PHCC indicated that cupping therapy leaves interim traces on skin, along with side effects associated with bruises and skin itching and patients eventually recover and return to normal condition in seven to 10 days followed by persistent skin color change.
Cupping therapy is a safe procedure, but it is not suitable for all people, PHCC said, explaining that pregnant women and patients with acute hepatitis, tuberculosis, heart disease, arrhythmia, pacemaker implantation, blood clotting diseases such as hereditary haemorrhagic disease, use of anticoagulants, severe anemia, and kidney failure are not allowed to use this kind of therapy.
