THE ACUTE EFFECT OF DRY CUPPING ON HAMSTRING MUSCLE RANGE OF MOTION

S. Elliot¹, P. Sanzo¹

¹Lakehead University, School of Kinesiology, Thunder Bay, Canada

Background: The hamstrings are comprised of three muscles including the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus. These muscles may commonly present with altered flexibility that may have negative effects on the lumbar spine, hip, and knee. Altered length of the hamstrings can lead to an increased posterior pelvic tilt resulting in a flattened back (hypomobility) or may lead to the development of an increased lordotic spinal curve (hypermobility). Dry cupping is a soft tissue treatment technique that is commonly used when myofascial abnormalities are present and manipulates the underlying skin and fascia to allow for local circulation and elongation of the muscle. It has been reported that cupping has may result in both mechanical, physiological, and chemical effects. An increase in blood flow, the stimulation of the small nerves, and increased secretion of endorphins has been reported. Mechanical effects may also include an ease of the restriction in the muscle caused by fascial adhesions via the lubrication of the superficial fascia. Limited research, however, exists regarding the clinical effects of dry cupping on various muscles and the clinical utility of this treatment.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effect of dry cupping on hamstring muscle range of motion (ROM).

Methods: 30 participants (19 females and 11 males) between the ages of 18-30 years were included in the study. Dry cupping was applied for 5 minutes to the lateral, middle, and medial aspects of the hamstrings sequentially for a total of 15 minutes of treatment time. Using IBM© SPSS Statistics 28, a paired samples t-test with a significance level of p<.05 was conducted to analyze pre-cupping and post-cupping hamstring ROM measured using a Passive Straight Leg Raising Test.

Results: There was a statistically significant increase in the pre-cupping ROM (M=87.50±10.98 degrees) compared to the post-cupping ROM (M=95.23±11.06 degrees), 95% CI [6.32, 9.14],t(30)=11.21,p<.001, with a large effect size.

Conclusions: Hamstring ROM increased after a 15-minute dry cupping session. Further research, however, is required to fully understand the lasting effects of cupping therapies on hamstring muscle ROM so that clinicians may look to incorporate dry cupping to improve flexibility and prevent different musculoskeletal disorders.

Implications: Dry cupping has been used by clinicians more frequently as a therapeutic intervention but the exact mechanisms and effects are not well understood with limited research available. The application of dry cupping may assist with improving the ROM and flexibility in some muscles as demonstrated in the current study on the hamstrings. This modality can be used as an adjunct to treatment for specific syndromes in which altered length and flexibility may be a contributing factor for treatment consideration.

Funding acknowledgements: This project was not funded.

Keywords:
Dry cupping
Hamstrings
Range of motion

Topics:
Sport & sports injuries
Musculoskeletal: spine
Orthopaedics

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: Lakehead University

Committee: Lakehead University School of Kinesiology Undergraduate Research Ethics Committee

Ethics number: 12-21-2021