OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in the characteristic medicinal cupping therapy between the traditional cupping device and the innovated cupping device.

METHODSFifty patients of neck and low back pain were selected. The self-comparison was adopted. The cupping therapy was applied to the acupoints located on the left or right side with the traditional cupping device and the innovated cupping device. The cupping sites were centered at bilateral Quyuan (SI 13) and Dachangshu (BL 25). The cups were retained for 10 min. The traditional cupping device was the glass with smooth border, 100mL. The innovated cupping device was the vacuum-sucking cup. The operative time, medicinal leakage, comfort and cupping marks were observed for the two different cupping devices.

RESULTSThe operative time with the innovated medicinal cupping device was shorter obviously compared with the traditional one at Quyuan (SI 13) and Dachangshu (BL 25, both P<0. 05). The comfort with the innovated medicinal cupping device was remarkably improved as compared with the traditional one at the two acupoints (both P<0. 05). The medicinal leakage was similar between the two different devices during the cupping operation (both P>0. 05). The cupping marks with the innovated medicinal cupping device were much deeper than those with the traditional one after cupping therapy.

CONCLUSIONThe innovated cupping device is more convenent and comfortable in operation during the characteristic medicinal cupping therapy.