Soc Sci Med. 1982 ; 16(21): 1893-901.

Cupping as an indigenous treatment of pain syndromes in the Finnish culture and social context.

Vaskilampi T, H�nninen O.

Cupping is a living traditional treatment in Finland. Its survival can be explained by its cultural, physiological, psychological and social effects, which exist within specific economic and sociocultural context. A historical overview of cupping treatment and the role of cuppers is presented; conceptual explanatory models on the action of cupping are given. Social and cultural aspects of cupping in contemporary Finnish society are described and analysed. The data were collected by semistructured and partly standardised interviews of fifteen cuppers in Savo Province in eastern Finland during May--August 1980. The principle features of cupping and its cultural transmission are reported. Underlying belief-systems on the role and qualities of cuppers as well as of cupping treatment itself are presented. The positions of horns (cups) for cupping treatment have been compared with Chinese acupuncture. The study demonstrates specific national features in cupping as practised in Finland.