A number of women in different provinces of Afghanistan are turning to cupping therapy to treat various health problems, including acne, oily skin, muscle pain, back pain, and physical fatigue. They say cupping therapy has been effective in addressing their health problems and that they have noticed positive changes in their bodies after undergoing the procedure.
Maryam, a resident of Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh Province, says she has undergone cupping therapy twice to treat acne on her face and that her skin problem has since improved.
“When I had facial threading, I developed a skin allergy and acne. After asking my friends and doing some research, I underwent cupping therapy. My skin problem improved after the procedure. The marks left by the treatment remained for a few days but eventually healed,” she says.
Sadaf Safi, a 21-year-old resident of Kabul, says she turned to cupping therapy after medical treatment failed to improve her skin condition. She has undergone the procedure four times.
“I underwent cupping therapy four times, and the acne on my face cleared up completely. After completing the cupping therapy, I felt much lighter. It also helped relieve my physical fatigue and sleepiness,” she adds.
Similarly, Atena, a 24-year-old resident of Badakhshan Province, says she underwent cupping therapy to get rid of facial acne and excess oil after researching the treatment. She adds that her skin problem improved significantly after the procedure.
“My skin was very oily and I had acne. After watching several videos on social media and doing some research, I underwent facial cupping. At first, I was afraid it would leave marks on my face, but fortunately, it left no marks, and my face returned to its original state,” she says.
Cupping is a traditional treatment that involves placing special cups on the body. It is performed in two forms: dry and wet cupping. In wet cupping, the skin is lightly scratched to draw a certain amount of blood from the body.
Some healthcare centers that offer cupping services also say the practice has become common among people in recent years. Mohammad Yousuf Kakar, manager of a cupping clinic in Kabul, says women visit the clinic for various health problems.
“Women visit the clinic for various health problems, including acne, excessively oily skin, high cholesterol, muscle pain, back pain, physical fatigue, a feeling of heaviness in the body, and psychological and nervous problems,” he adds.
Azad Qasemi, a cupping practitioner at a healthcare center, emphasizes the importance of following certain dietary recommendations after undergoing cupping therapy.
“Individuals who undergo cupping therapy should avoid eating too much protein-rich food for several days after the procedure. Those who exercise regularly should take a break. They should also avoid saunas and very hot environments for a few days after cupping,” he says.
Whether performed as dry or wet cupping, the procedure may carry certain risks and consequences for those who undergo it. A number of doctors consider prolonged bleeding, infection, and anemia to be among its main risks.
Noorulhaq Yousufzai, an internal medicine specialist, says: “Those who want to try traditional treatments should first make sure they are not anemic and do not have any blood problems. They should also choose a place that strictly follows proper infection prevention measures. They should avoid undergoing cupping therapy too frequently, as repeated procedures may cause bleeding and worsen anemia.”
However, some doctors do not consider cupping an effective treatment for diseases and emphasize that it should not replace scientific medical treatment. Kawkaba Nawab, a dermatologist, says:
“Cupping should not be considered a primary treatment or an alternative to scientific medical care. Those who develop acne or have excessively oily skin should consult a dermatologist to identify and treat the main cause of the problem.”
Traditional medicine offers various treatments for certain illnesses, and cupping is one of them. In recent years, cupping has gained attention as an effective way to treat some health problems.
Reporter: Noda Zarafshan
