Cupping Therapy as a Potential Complimentary Treatment for Meniere's Disease: A Case Report

Cureus. 2024 Mar 9;16(3):e55864. doi: 10.7759/cureus.55864. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Abstract

Meniere's disease is defined by the presence of three essential symptoms: episodic vertigo, tinnitus, and sensorineural hearing loss. The mainstay of its management constitutes lifestyle modification and medical and surgical therapies. Cupping therapy is an ancient treatment that is still widely used especially in the Middle East, Africa, and the United Kingdom. This study portraits the case of a 54-year-old patient suffering from long-standing Meniere's disease. The patient was treated with the routine treatment that was to no avail. It was decided that the patient undergoes cupping therapy. Over two years of monthly cupping therapy sessions, the patient reported a decrease in intensity and frequency of symptoms until its disappearance. Cupping therapy has shown a positive outcome on the patient. According to our search, there is a previous case report published in 2020 that shares multiple similarities with our case. Further studies on cupping therapy and its efficacy, mechanism of action, and complications on a larger scale are advised.

Keywords: case report; cupping therapy; meniere's disease; sensorineural hearing loss; tinnitus; vertigo.

Publication types

  • Case Reports