title: My back has shrunk: the influence of traditional cupping on body image in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In conditions such as phantom limb pain and low back pain body image is distorted. This qualitative study investigates body image in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain (CNP), its influence on their everyday life and any changes linked to traditional cupping therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted with a convenience sample of 6 patients with CNP from a larger randomised controlled trial (RCT) on cupping. The data came from body image drawings and semi-structured interviews. The latter were analysed using Mayring's content analysis techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients' drawings showed apparent body image distortions with elements that were missing or deformed. The interviews showed that pain was the predominant perception, influencing patients' body perception. Patients saw their pain as beyond their control, using mostly passive strategies to cope. After cupping, patients reported less pain and improved pain perception. These changes were reflected in their drawings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with CNP experienced apparent body image distortions, which traditional cupping therapy appeared to improve. Additional research is needed to further explore this link.
authors.affiliation: Chair of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. r.lauche@kliniken-essen-mitte.de
authors.forename: Romy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lauche
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cramer
authors.forename: Heidemarie
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Haller
authors.forename: Frauke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Musial
authors.forename: Jost
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Langhorst
authors.forename: Gustav J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Dobos
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Berger
mesh_terms: D001828:Body Image; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D058748:Pain Perception; D016896:Treatment Outcome