• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.789-793
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• 2007

To evaluate the effectiveness of cupping and bloodletting therapy in the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases. Systematic searches were conducted on KSI, KISTI, DB Pia, KIOM Database, and Koreamed until January 2007 Hand-searches included conference proceedings and our own files. There were no restrictions regarding the language of journals published in Korea. Controlled trials of dry cupping, wet cupping, or blood letting for patients with musculoskeletal disease were considered for inclusion. Trials testing other forms of dry cupping therapy were included. Methodological quality was assessed by two doctors. 20 possibly relevant studies were identified and 5 studies were included. One trial tested wet cupping for ankle sprain and reported positive result. Two trials tested blood letting for low back pain, one was positive and the other one was neutral. One trial tested the types of dry cupping for low back pain, and Ki-gong cupping therapy was superior to other two types of cupping. One trial compared wet cupping with dry cupping for low back pain and the result was negative. The effectiveness of bloodletting plus acupuncture for treating patients with low back pain is superior to acupuncture in spite of low quality. One trial of wet cupping for ankle sprain had effects in reducing pain. However, I suggest that the rigorous RCTs of cupping and blood letting therapy will be conducted in well designed features.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.243-252
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• 2005

Objective : This study was performed to investigate the effect of blood-letting cupping treatment for acute ankle sprain because there are few studies with evidence-based approach. Method : Twenty-nine patients, who had no fracture and had injured by external force and had less than 1 week passed since onset and had not been treated, were randomly divided into control or treatment group by tossing a coin. The treatment group received blood-letting cupping. After 3rd treatment, the outcomes were assessed using Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AHS) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Result : Nineteen out of 29 patients were finally assessed. The treatment group (n=11) was significantly different from the control group (n=8) in AHS and NRS (p=0.041, 0.026, respectively). Conclusion : The blood-letting cupping has an objective effect on reduing pain for acute ankle sprain.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.138-142
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• 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Korean rehabilitation treatement for patients with post-TKR. The medical records of inpatients undergoing Korean rehabilitation treatment after TKR from 2016.01.01. to 2021.12.31. during the admission, were analyzed retrospectively. The effect of treatment was evaluated by using a numeric rating scale(NRS) and range of motion(ROM) of knee. Statistical analysis was done using the IBM SPSS statistics 26 program. If the period of hospitalization was within 7 days or change of NRS and ROM was not recorded properly, the case was excluded. All inpatients received acupuncture treatment, Electro-acupuncture. Soyeom pharmaco-acupuncture were used at a high rate. Blood letting cupping therapy, dry cupping therapy, Interferential Current Therapy(ICT) continuous passive motion(CPM), cryotherapy were used at a high rate. A significant improvement was noted when comparing the NRS and knee ROM results at the time of admission and discharge. Korean medical rehabilitation can be effectively used for patients who have undergone TKR, to relieve pain and enable returning to daily activities. It is expected to be helpful in future studies of post-TKR in Korean Medicine. Also It can be used for medical treatment of post-TKR in Korean Medicine Hospital and clinic. However, further research with a high level of evidence is necessary to support this finding.