Dry cupping therapy decreases cellulite in women: A pilot study

Abstract

Some recent studies showed that lymphatic system stimulation is efficacious in the treatment of cellulite. Lymph drainage and micro circulation can be stimulated with cupping therapy. We aimed to investigate the effect of dry moving cupping therapy on the grade of cellulite on thighs. We aimed to investigate the effect of dry moving cupping therapy on the grade of cellulite on thighs. A pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental design was utilized in this study. The dry moving cupping therapy was applied on right and left thighs of forty healthy female subjects. The grade of cellulite was assessed before and three days following dry moving cupping therapy. In the present study, the mean grade of cellulite was decreased following dry moving cupping therapy comparing with before. Also, the age and weight were positively correlated with the mean grade of cellulite both before and after dry moving cupping therapy. These results indicate for the first time in humans that dry moving cupping therapy might be effective on cellulite. Dry moving cupping therapy may cause the drainage of interstitial fluid and its elements into blood and lymphatic capillaries, especially lipids in cellulite.