Immediate effects of cupping therapy on pain, flexibility and temperature of the lumbar spine: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Introduction

Fascia is a viscoelastic tissue that adapts to mechanical stress. Cupping therapy uses negative pressure to stimulate blood flow, relieve edema, accelerate healing, and improvement of pain. The study aimed to evaluate the immediate effects of a suction cup on the pressure pain threshold, temperature, and range of motion of the lumbar spine.

Methods

This randomized, blinded clinical trial included 40 healthy individuals. The volunteers were randomized into two groups, suction cups with stationary and sliding suction and placebo, all with durations of 4 min. The variables evaluated were the pressure pain threshold, lumbar spine movement range and lumbar region temperature.

Results

In the analysis of the pre and postintervention data between the groups, the placebo group improved right anterior tibial – pressure pain threshold (p = 0,009) and flexibility (p = 0,004) but did not present a difference in relation to the local pressure pain threshold or temperature. The intervention group presented the greatest effect on flexibility and temperature according to the paired t-test (p < 0,001). A strong correlation was observed between the right anterior tibial – pressure pain threshold and the pressure pain threshold (r = 0,768).

Conclusion

Cupping therapy leads to an increase in local temperature, an increase in the lumbar spine's range of motion and a decrease in the pain threshold at local pressure immediately after a single session, although these effects were not significantly greater than placebo.