Tamer Aboushanab

Classification of Cupping Therapy: A Tool for Modernization and Standardization

Cupping therapy is one of the oldest healing methods and practiced by ancient Chinese, Egyptians and Greeks. There are many types of cupping therapy and recently, practitioners and researchers have added more types to the practice of cupping. This research aimed to classify types of cupping to help in modernization and standardization of cupping therapy. This proposed classification of cupping therapy that might guide researchers stay organized, help them to differentiate and compare various types, raise their knowledge of cupping and precisely clarify cupping types terms and methods related to research in future. The proposed classification of cupping into six main categories will also help the field of cupping therapy in uniform training of concerned therapists.

Cupping Therapy: An Overview from a Modern Medicine Perspective

Cupping therapy is an ancient traditional and complementary medicine practice. Recently, there is growing evidence of its potential benefits in the treatment of pain-related diseases. This article gives an overview of cupping therapy practice. Furthermore, this article suggests a new classification of cupping therapy sets, a new classification of cupping therapy adverse events, and an updated classification of cupping therapy types.

Cupping Therapy (Al-Hijamah): Healthcare Professionals' Controversial Beliefs Before and After Training Program, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt. 3 Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt. Babu Banarsi Das Gupta District Hospital, Bulandshahr, Laxmi Nagar, Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh 203001, India. Medication Safety Unit, King Saud Medical City, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Drug Poisoning and Information Center, King Saud Medical City, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

A Descriptive Review of the Prevalence and Usage of Traditional and Complementary Medicine among Saudi Diabetic Patients

Diabetes mellitus represents a major burden in Saudi Arabia where seven million (20% of population) are living with diabetes. This article reviews the literature on usage of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) therapies among Saudi diabetic patients, focusing in particular on identifying the prevalence as well as discussing their safety and efficacy. Three databases (PubMed, Cochrane, and ScienceDirect) were searched prior to December 10, 2017, for articles published in peer-reviewed journals that reported primary data on the use of traditional and complementary medicine therapies among diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia. Six studies were selected according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria. In conclusion, the prevalence of use of T&CM therapies among diabetics in Saudi Arabia was 32.18%. This review identified that the most used T&CM therapy among diabetics was herbal treatment. The most used herbs were fenugreek, black seeds, neem, myrrh, helteet, harmel, and aloes. There is insufficient or little evidence to support the efficacy of the most identified herbs and therapies. This review is raising the safety concerns about the used herbs and complementary therapies which were commonly used without any medical consultation.

A brief illustration of the official national standards for the safe use of cupping therapy (Hijama) in Saudi Arabia

Cupping therapy (Hijama in Arabic) is a popular traditional treatment especially in Asia, the Middle East and Central Europe. Traditionally, cupping therapy has been one of the most used practices in Saudi Arabia. Standardization of the practice of cupping therapy is a very important step to eliminate or reduce any adverse events related to cupping. This article gives a brief illustration and highlights the important points of the first accredited Saudi Arabian standards for the safe use of cupping equipment and its applications.

A Quality Model to Select Patients in Cupping Therapy Clinics: A New Tool for Ensuring Safety in Clinical Practice

Cupping therapy is a popular treatment in various countries and regions, including Saudi Arabia. Cupping therapy is regulated in Saudi Arabia by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Health. The authors recommend that this quality model to select patients in cupping clinics - version 1 (QMSPCC-1)-be used routinely as part of clinical practice and quality management in cupping clinics. The aim of the quality model is to ensure the safety of patients and to introduce and facilitate quality and auditing processes in cupping therapy clinics. Clinical evaluation of this tool is recommended. Continued development, reevaluation and reassessment of this tool are important.