Dry Cupping for Low Back Pain

Overseen By Natasha Scavarelli, HBK

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Lakehead University

Disqualifiers: Specific back conditions, Surgery, Trauma, Cancer, Pregnancy, Blood disorders

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 1 week

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether dry cupping, a therapy involving suction on the skin, can help with non-specific low back pain. Researchers aim to assess its effects on movement, blood flow, pain levels, and overall function. Participants will receive either the real treatment or a placebo to compare results. It suits individuals experiencing low back pain without a specific medical cause and who are otherwise healthy. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore alternative therapies for managing low back pain.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are currently receiving treatment for non-specific low back pain, you will need to have a 2-day break from that treatment before participating in the study.

What prior data suggests that dry cupping is safe for low back pain?

Research has shown that dry cupping is usually safe and effective for managing pain, such as low back pain. Studies have found that it can reduce pain and improve movement without causing serious side effects. Most people who try dry cupping experience only mild skin bruising or discomfort, similar to a hickey, which resolves on its own. Although dry cupping may not always surpass other treatments in effectiveness, it is considered safe for most individuals. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Most treatments for low back pain, like medications or physical therapy, focus on relieving symptoms or improving function over time. Dry cupping is unique because it involves using suction to potentially improve blood flow and reduce muscle tension directly at the pain site. Researchers are excited about this technique because it offers a non-invasive, drug-free alternative that might provide relief more quickly and with fewer side effects than standard options. Unlike typical treatments, dry cupping might enhance recovery by promoting natural healing processes in the body.

What evidence suggests that dry cupping might be an effective treatment for low back pain?

Research has shown that dry cupping might help reduce low back pain. Some studies have found that cupping therapy can significantly improve pain and disability in people with low back pain. One study noted a significant improvement in pain when cupping targeted specific points on the body. However, another study found no difference between dry cupping and placebo dry cupping in improving pain and physical function. Overall, while results are mixed, evidence suggests that cupping can be effective for some individuals with low back pain. In this trial, participants will receive either dry cupping or placebo dry cupping to evaluate its effectiveness. ^{2 3 4 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for men and women aged 18-55 who have non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) but are otherwise healthy. Participants must not be receiving other treatments for NSLBP or any musculoskeletal condition, with a required 48-hour break before joining the study.

Inclusion Criteria

I am either male or female.

I have lower back pain.

I am healthy and have completed the GAQ. I will stop my current NSLBP treatment 2 days before the study.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive dry cupping treatment on lumbar paraspinal muscles across three sessions, approximately 48 hours apart

1 week

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Dry Cupping
• Placebo Dry Cupping

Trial Overview The study tests dry cupping therapy on lower back muscles to see if it improves motion range, blood flow (measured by skin temperature), pain levels, pressure pain threshold, perceived treatment effect, and overall function in people with NSLBP over three sessions.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Individuals in this condition will receive treatment using regular plastic cups, for all three treatment sessions.

Group II: Placebo Placebo Group 2 Interventions

Individuals in this condition will receive treatment using plastic cups with two 2 mm holes drilled in either side of them, for all three treatment sessions.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Lakehead University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

29

Recruited

3,900+

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38184285/

The effectiveness of cupping therapy on low back pain Cupping on acupoints showed a significant improvement in pain (d=1.29, 95% CI: [0.63-1.94], p < 0.01) compared with the lower back area (d=0.35, ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229924000013

The effectiveness of cupping therapy on low back pain Eleven studies were included, providing high- to moderate-quality evidence that cupping significantly improves pain and disability in LBP management.

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06193603

Cupping Therapy in Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain A recent study found that dry cupping therapy was not superior to sham cupping in improving pain, physical function, mobility, quality of life, psychological ...

4. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2022/12230/effectiveness_of_self_management_of_dry_and_wet.7.aspx

Effectiveness of self-management of dry and wet cupping... The present meta-analysis shows that wet cupping therapy effectively reduces the pain intensity of LBP. Furthermore, both dry wet cupping therapy improved ...

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2023.1266712/full

Efficacy of cupping therapy on pain outcomes: an evidence ... The available evidence of very low-to-moderate quality suggests that cupping therapy is effective in managing chronic pain, knee osteoarthritis, low back pain, ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10640990/

Efficacy of cupping therapy on pain outcomes: an evidence ... The available evidence of very low-to-moderate quality suggests that cupping therapy is effective in managing chronic pain, knee osteoarthritis, low back pain, ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12168300/

Dry cupping therapy combined with conventional ... In this randomized trial, adding dry cupping to conventional therapy offered no additional benefit over conventional therapy alone for pain, disability or PPT ...