Cupping: A Case Study for Chronic Fatigue Treatment
Acupuncturist from The London Acupuncture Clinic at The Hogarth, Laura Brinton, shares a case study on her patient with CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and how Cupping transformed their life! Laura works with techniques such as needles, cupping and Gua Sha and is trained in an integrated theory of Five Element and Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture.
A patient (DW) came to me with CFS and depression. DW did not want to be on medication for depression, and they had tried some quite serious western medicine procedures for their fatigue; nothing had worked. The symptoms started four years ago, for no apparent reason, with DW falling asleep during the day and finding they could sleep for hours on end. DW found it difficult to have any ‘get up and go’ and with that depression had begun to accompany the fatigue. At a loss with what else to do, DW had heard that perhaps an acupuncturist could help.
From my experience, there are many reasons for fatigue and so one treatment does not fit all, therefore each treatment for the individual patient is bespoke.
When a patient comes in to see me, I will thoroughly research the ailment post appointment and, even though I have the knowledge to treat, will always check the research. I can then create a treatment strategy.
CASE STUDY PROFILE
Male, mid thirties
Main Complaint – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Secondary Complaint – Depression
Medical Factors – Diabetes Type one
METHOD
I came across a trial by Guo H.R et al (2020) that showed ten sessions of cupping therapy significantly relieved fatigue and its associated side effects. I took this information to DW and acknowledged that ten treatments of cupping was a big commitment, but perhaps we could try four to five and assess the results. My treatment also included acupuncture needles, from a Five Element acupuncture perspective, we believe that the emotions and the physical parts of the body are interconnected. The blood holds emotions and if it is heavy and thick and not moving the same could result in the patient and their emotions. Interestingly, DW had told me that their blood would be thicker than most due to the insulin in the body, (Adeva-Andany, 2019).
WHAT IS CUPPING?
Cupping is an ancient form of holistic medicine that dates to Chinese, Egyptian and Middle Eastern Cultures. There are two different types: wet and dry. Wet involves making small incisions and drawing blood into the cup. I use dry cupping. My cups are made of glass or plastic, and they are circular in shape. They are placed over the body (usually the back) and create a vacuum over the skin. It feels like a massage and mobilises blood flow. It does not hurt to have cupping.
In Chinese Medicine we believe that if the blood flow is slow or stuck, people can get varying signs and symptoms of illness, and so we use it regularly in practice for different ailments. Cupping does leave circular marks on the skin if there has been an issue with the blood flow. These marks, depending on the deepness of colour, disappear in one to seven days.
RESULTS
Within two treatments (one week apart), DW reported feeling less fatigued, and not feeling the need to sleep so much. By treatment four, he was able to move home and work night shifts feeling naturally tired but not fatigued. DW also acknowledged that he had not been affected by the usual seasonal depression as the darkness drew in over winter. We are now eight treatments in and have moved to fortnightly treatments.
CONCLUSION
Having to always take insulin and being a diabetic type one, DW could be prone to this feeling of heaviness and tiredness. With the use of cupping therapy and needles, the above results are encouraging, and we will work together on monitoring how he feels.
NOTE: Acupuncture is a bespoke treatment and one treatment that works for one patient does not work for everyone. Patient DW’s case continues to be monitored.
Written by Laura Brinton, BSC (hons), Lic Ac, MBAcC London Acupuncture Clinic at The Hogarth Clinic
ABOUT LAURA
Laura Brinton is part of The London Acupuncture Clinic at the Hogarth Clinic. She has a BSC (Honours) in acupuncture and is part of the British Acupuncture Council. Laura works Monday 2pm -8pm and Saturday 9am -2pm. The team work six days a week Monday to Friday from 8am until 8pm Saturday 9am to 2pm.
Laura’s style is unique in the Chiswick practice as she an integrated practitioner of Five Element Acupuncture (FEA) and Traditional Chinese Medicine, (TCM). FEA derives from nature and the energies of Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood within us. These energies connect to emotions and can be out of balance such as stress or grief. TCM also promotes the balance of Qi through the belief that there are channels in the body with over 350 points with different functions. Both styles aim for the same goal, to make the person balanced and well.
ABOUT THE LONDON ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC AT THE HOGARTH
When a patient first arrives for acupuncture, they will be with Laura for up to an hour where the main complaint and medical history is discussed along with a first treatment. From there Laura will research the complaint and create a treatment strategy. Patients can feel better after just one appointment, but some complaints can also take several weeks, so how many sessions are needed varies. Follow up sessions are up to forty minutes and up to sixty minutes if cupping or gua sha is needed also.
Acupuncture with the London Acupuncture Clinic is not the same as dry needling; a method used by osteopaths, doctors and massage therapists to release muscle tension. It is an ancient medical system dating back several thousand years that believes there are points on the body that have functions. When needles are inserted it can bring about a balance to the body.
Prices (last updated January 2023) are £70 for an initial consultation, £60 for follow ups and £70 for body work such as cupping and gua sha in the Chiswick practice.
GET IN TOUCH FOR ACUPUNCTURE AT THE HOGARTH CLINIC ENQUIRIES AND BOOKINGS:
020 7487 3998
chiswick@londonacupuncture.co.uk
REFERENCES
Adeva-Andany, M.M., Ameneiros-Rodríguez, E., Fernández-Fernández, C., Domínguez-Montero, A. and Funcasta-Calderón, R., 2019. Insulin resistance is associated with subclinical vascular disease in humans. World Journal of Diabetes, 10(2), p.63. Annawawi, A.M., 2021. IDENTIFIKASI PENGARUH CUPPING THERAPY TERHADAP KESEHATAN (SEBUAH STUDI LITERATUR) (Doctoral dissertation, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang). Guo, H.R., Zhang, Q.Y., Li, X., Chen, Y., Li, M.Y., Zhuo, X.M., Wang, M.J., Shan, K., Gong, Y.N., Li, N.C. and Chen, B., 2020. The effectiveness of cupping therapy on chronic fatigue syndrome: a singleblind randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 40, p.101210.