Combination Acupuncture and Cupping for Treating Adult Idiopathic Scoliosis

Background: There is limited previous English-language literature on acupuncture's ability to treat idiopathic scoliosis. This report shows the potential effectiveness of a combination of acupuncture and cupping therapies to treat curvature progression and thoracic back pain in adult idiopathic scoliosis. Intervention: A 34-year-old male veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces with thoracic back pain and muscle spasms originally presented to the chiropractic clinic at the Fargo Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Fargo, ND. Per radiographs taken prior to the consultation, the chiropractor determined that the patient had an idiopathic right-convex scoliosis curve of ∼21°. Due to immobility of the thoracic spinal vertebra upon adjustment, he was referred to acupuncture care. After a clinical review, the acupuncturist hypothesized that a combination of utilizing acupuncture and cupping techniques would help relax the muscles along the thoracic spine, allowing correction of the patient's abnormal spinal curvature. Combination Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), using acupuncture with cupping therapy was given ∼2 times per week for several weeks, resulting in a total of 15 treatments. Results: After 15 treatments, this patient's subjective pain decreased by 85%. Anecdotally, he reported "feeling a bit looser." He continued to receive acupuncture and cupping treatments when his schedule allowed. Conclusions: The combination therapy was effective for treating musculoskeletal pain but was inconclusive with respect to its ability to treat adult idiopathic scoliosis. More research is needed on the efficacy of TCM for treating adult idiopathic scoliosis.