Quick Answer
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system, and its primary treatment is disease-modifying medications under a neurologist's supervision.
What preliminary evidence supports is a helper role in easing symptoms and slowing the pace of disease progression: a randomized trial published in 2025 on 60 female patients found that cupping over 3 months reduced fatigue scores from 47.7 to 34.5 and improved quality of life compared to usual care.
Why Do MS Patients Turn to Complementary Medicine?
Fatigue is the most common symptom in MS, reported by around 80–90% of patients, followed by muscle spasticity, pain, sleep disturbance, and mood changes. Disease-modifying medications do not fully treat these symptoms, so patients look for additional support. A 2024 Moroccan survey found that 52% of MS patients use complementary medicine, with cupping being the most common at around 30%.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the Saudi Ministry of Health issued a dedicated guide on complementary medicine in the care of MS patients, and its principle — which we adhere to — is that complementary medicine is added to core treatment, not a substitute for it.
What Can Cupping Offer an MS Patient?
Which Type of Cupping Suits MS Patients Best?
At the center we prefer starting with dry and moving cupping, as they are gentler on the body and don't drain its energy. The specialist then decides whether to add limited wet cupping depending on the patient's condition, iron level, and fatigue level, and after coordinating with the neurologist. We avoid cupping during an acute relapse or with fever, because a rise in body temperature temporarily worsens MS symptoms.
What Does the Scientific Research Say?
Saudi Studies: Cupping Is Among the Most Used Complementary Treatments Among MS Patients in the Kingdom
A survey at the MS clinic of King Fahd University Hospital in Al-Khobar (2019, 133 patients) found that 83.5% use complementary medicine, with cupping the second most used method after vitamins.
A study from King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh (Cureus 2020, 176 patients) recorded complementary medicine use among 89% of patients, with cupping used by around 21% of them, and 46% of non-dietary method users reported symptom improvement. A more recent (2026) study from King Saud University and King Fahad Medical City on 151 patients confirmed that Ruqyah and cupping were the most preferred methods.
These studies describe usage and patient satisfaction, not effectiveness. But they send a clear message: MS patients in Saudi Arabia are already turning to cupping, and it is best they do so at a licensed center with the neurologist's knowledge, not behind their back.
Acupuncture Reviews in MS (2022 and 2026)
A 2022 review of 31 studies and a 2026 systematic review of 18 studies both concluded that acupuncture may improve fatigue, pain, spasticity, and quality of life in MS patients, with a caution about small sample sizes. Cupping and acupuncture share the principle of cutaneous-muscular stimulation, but results from one do not automatically transfer to the other.
Acupuncture Reviews in MS (2022 and 2026)
A 2022 review of 31 studies and a 2026 systematic review of 18 studies both concluded that acupuncture may improve fatigue, pain, spasticity, and quality of life in MS patients, with a caution about small sample sizes. Cupping and acupuncture share the principle of cutaneous-muscular stimulation, but results from one do not automatically transfer to the other.
The Evidence, Honestly Summarized
One preliminary piece of evidence (a randomized trial) for easing fatigue and improving quality of life with cupping.
Several Saudi and Arab survey studies confirm that cupping is among the most used complementary methods among MS patients, and record symptom improvement based on patients' own assessment.
Appropriate use: symptom support within the neurologist's plan, at a licensed center, timed away from relapses.
How Is the Session Done at Khaled Al-Zallal Centers?
- Initial assessment covering current medications, relapse history, and fatigue level, along with blood pressure, blood sugar, and temperature checks.
- Starting with a treatment course of three sessions, one session per month for three months.
- The decision to add further sessions is made after the course ends and the case is reassessed.
- Follow-up on fatigue and sleep between sessions, with clear instructions to avoid heat and exertion after the session.
The center's approved protocol for MS cases is a course of three sessions as part of the integrated multiple sclerosis treatment course, followed by a rest period, then reassessment, with the plan adjusted according to each patient's response.
Book Your Consultation
Khaled Al-Zallal Cupping Centers — three branches in Riyadh (Al-Sahafa, Al-Nuzhah, Al-Hamra), a licensed center with a qualified medical staff, new sterilized tools for every client, and an independent women's section.
Open Saturday to Thursday, 8:15 AM – 10:30 PM (Friday closed). Book your appointment via WhatsApp or the website, and the specialist will determine what's best for your case.
Conclusion
Cupping is not a treatment for multiple sclerosis, but it is a promising complementary support for easing fatigue and improving quality of life when done for a stable patient in coordination with the neurologist. This content is for health awareness only and does not replace consultation with a specialist physician. Cupping is an integrative support alongside your treatment plan, not a substitute for it, and the decision on whether it suits your case rests with the specialist after evaluation.
