Cupping Therapy Practice Exam

What symptom indicates a contraindication for cupping when it comes to patients with von Willebrand syndrome?

1. Swelling

2. Bleeding disorder

3. Muscle aches

4. Headaches

The correct answer is: Bleeding disorder

In patients with von Willebrand syndrome, the symptom that indicates a contraindication for cupping therapy is a bleeding disorder. This condition is characterized by a deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor, which is crucial for normal blood clotting. Cupping therapy involves the application of suction to the skin, which can cause localized bruising and bleeding. For individuals with bleeding disorders, even minor trauma can lead to excessive bleeding or complicate their condition significantly. Therefore, cupping therapy could pose serious risks to these patients, making it contraindicated. The other symptoms listed, such as swelling, muscle aches, and headaches, do not inherently suggest a specific contraindication for cupping in patients with von Willebrand syndrome. While they may cause discomfort and warrant treatment, they do not carry the same severe implications for bleeding risk as the bleeding disorder itself. Thus, the presence of a bleeding disorder is the critical factor that necessitates avoidance of cupping therapy in this context.