There are numerous cupping therapy types. The classification of cupping therapy types is a tool to help in standardization of cupping therapy. The first modern classification of cupping therapy types was published in 2013 and The classification was updated 3 times, the last update was published in 2018.

1. Classification of
Cupping Therapy
Types: The History and
applications
Dr. Tamer Shaban

2.  Cupping therapy is an ancient therapy, which is
performed by applying cups on selected skin points
either by using heat, manual or automatic suction.
Cupping therapy definition
Dr. Tamer Shaban

3.  There are various cupping therapy types.
 In the past, they classified cupping therapy generally into
two categories dry cupping therapy and wet cupping
therapy.
 Cupping types are numerous. There are types can not be fit
into these categories. There are more cupping types which
are used and developed recently.
 These circumstances make a clear demand for a
classification of cupping therapy types which is the first
step for standardization and modernization of cupping
therapy practice and training.
Cupping therapy types
Dr. Tamer Shaban

4.  In 2013, I calculated 17 types of cupping therapy.
 Classification can standardized names, and definitions
 Classification can help educators, therapists,
researchers, manufacturers and guideline developers
for unifying terms of cupping.
 This simple tool is one step towards standardization
of cupping therapy.
The idea
Dr. Tamer Shaban

5.  The first classification
developed and published by
Dr. Tamer Shaban in 2013 in
the first version of “Cupping
therapy encyclopedia” book.
 First classification
enumerated 17 types of
cupping.
 This classification
categorized cupping therapy
types into 4 categories
which is shown in the figure.
 These categories are still the
main categories in any
classification.
First classification of cupping therapy
T. Shaban. Cupping therapy encyclopedia. createspace independent publishing – English – First version - 2013
Dr. Tamer Shaban

6. Second classification of cupping
therapy types
 The second classification is called
Dr. Tamer’s classification of
cupping therapy types which is
published in 2014 in the last
version of “Cupping therapy
encyclopedia” book.
 This classification enumerated 21
types of cupping therapy.
 This classification categorized
cupping therapy types into five
categories which is shown in the
figure.
 This classification included the
four previous categories and
added “area treated related
types” category.
T. Shaban. Cupping therapy encyclopedia. createspace independent publishing – English – updated version 2014
Dr. Tamer Shaban

7.  The third update was
published in 2016.
 This classification
enumerated 26 types.
 It included six categories.
 This classification
included the five
categories of the previous
classification and added a
sixth category for types
which were not fit for the
previous five categories.
This category is called
“Other types”
Classification of cupping therapy
(update 2016)
Al-Bedah AM, Aboushanab TS, Alqaed MS, Qureshi NA, Suhaibani I, Ibrahim G, Khalil M. Classification of Cupping Therapy: A tool for
modernization and standardization. Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medical Research. 2016;1(1):1-0.
Dr. Tamer Shaban

8.  It is the current version
 The aim was To facilitate cupping learning, and evaluate
and redevelop an update to avoid errors and
misunderstandings in previous cupping classifications,
 We developed the new cupping therapy types
classification which simplified the categories and giving a
precise classification of cupping therapy types .
 This update can include any type of cupping therapy.
The most recent classification of cupping
therapy (update 2018)
Aboushanab TS, AlSanad S. Cupping therapy: an overview from a modern medicine perspective. Journal of acupuncture and meridian
studies. 2018 Feb 7.
Dr. Tamer Shaban

9.  This classification is the
most recent one.
 This classification
enumerated 26 types.
 This classification
included five categories.
 It updated the names of
category 4 and 5, to be
suitable and more
precise for included
cupping types.
classification of cupping therapy
(update 2018)
Aboushanab TS, AlSanad S. Cupping therapy: an overview from a modern medicine perspective. Journal of acupuncture and meridian
studies. 2018 Feb 7.
Dr. Tamer Shaban

10. Cupping therapy classification 2018 update can be used
as a learning and standard tool in:
 Training courses
 Research papers and clinical trials
 Standardization documents of cupping practice
 Practical cupping guidelines and books
 Acupuncture, naturopathy, massage, chiropractic,
complementary, and integrative medicine colleges
and institutes
Applications
Dr. Tamer Shaban

11. The final version of the classification was translated and
published in 5 languages
 (English, Arabic, Spanish, French, and Portuguese)
Translations of the classification of
Cupping therapy types
SpanishFrenchArabicPortuguese
Dr. Tamer Shaban

12.  Standardization of cupping therapy practice is a great
demand.
 The development of new tools which help the
standardization of cupping therapy technique is
encouraged
 I think, there will be a great impact on our knowledge
regarding cupping therapy by researches conducted
by researchers who work in the fields of sports
medicine, and rehabilitation.
The future
Dr. Tamer Shaban

13.  The first modern classification of cupping therapy types
was published in 2013
 The classification was updated 3 times, the last update was
published in 2018.
 The classification was translated and published in 5
languages (English, Arabic, Spanish, French, and
Portuguese)
 There are several applications to this classification tools
 It can be used in training, teaching, standardization,
regulation, preparing clinical guidelines and performing
researches in the field of cupping therapy.
Summary
Dr. Tamer Shaban

14.  If you want a full resolution picture of the
classification in your language feel free to contact
 Dr. Tamer AbouShanab
 tamer.shaban@gmail.com
Thank you
Dr. Tamer Shaban