The effects of dry cupping therapy on muscle thickness and elasticity of upper back muscles

Abstract

Introduction: Cupping is an ancient method used for various diseases in different cultures. In recent years, the use of cupping therapy has increased. Mechanically, cupping increases local blood flow (Wei et al 2013), stimulates mechanosensitive receptors, and provides pain relief (Rozenfeld & Kalichman 2016). Although the receiver of cupping therapy feels relaxed, no detailed studies have assessed how the therapy affects elastic properties of the muscles. We aimed in this study to evaluate how 10 minutes of cupping affects the thickness and stiffness of the upper back muscles (middle trapezius and paraspinals) of healthy volunteers. Ultrasound imaging (B-mode and shear wave elastography [SWE]) were used to measure the physical properties (Ryu & Jeong 2017).