Effectiveness of myofascial release technique versus dry cupping therapy in management of patients with non-specific low back pain

Authors

  • Rabab A Mohamed Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt / Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraidah 51452, Saudi Arabia. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1826-5387
  • Ghada A Abdallah Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0896-4288
  • Hanaa Ali Hafez Physical Therapy Department for Musculoskeletal Disorders and Its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Nahda University, Egypt. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3604-5449
  • Amany Mahmoud Helmy Department of Orthopedics and it's Surgery, Faculty of physical therapy, Misr University for Science and Technology, Egypt. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4327-7742
  • Ayman A Nassif Department of Physical Therapy for Neuromuscular Disorders and Its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt.
  • Lamyaa Ahmed Fergany Department of Physical Therapy for Neurological and Neurosurgical Disorders, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Lotus University, Al Minya, Egypt.
  • Rokaia A Toson Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo, Egypt / Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1193-2498
  • Heba Ahmed Mousa Ghaleb Department of Physical Therapy for Cardiovascular/Respiratory disorders, and Geriatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt / Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, P.O. Box 1988, Najran 11001, Saudi Arabia. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9243-2059
  • Hanaa K Atta Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4010-0046
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.696001
Keywords: Myofascial Release, Cupping, Non-Specific Low Back Pain

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effects of myofascial release and cupping techniques on pain levels, spinal mobility, and functional impairments in individuals with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). This study was a randomized controlled trial employing a pre-test and post-test design. Sixty male and female patients diagnosed with NSLBP, aged 45 to 55, participated. They were randomly assigned to three groups: Group A, in which 20 patients received myofascial release (MFR) along with conventional physical therapy; Group B, in which 20 patients received cupping therapy in addition to conventional physical therapy; and Group C, in which 20 patients received only conventional physical therapy. All groups underwent treatment three times per week for four consecutive weeks. Visual analog scale (VAS) results indicated significant improvements within each group; however, group A demonstrated superior pain reduction compared to groups B and C (p<0.05). Additionally, all three groups exhibited improvements in functional disability levels and range of motion, with group A showing statistically significant superiority over the other two groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, myofascial release therapy was more effective than cupping therapy in reducing pain, improving functional impairment, and enhancing lumbar range of motion in NSLBP patients.

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Published
31-12-2025
How to Cite
Mohamed, R. A., Abdallah, G. A., Hafez, H. A., Helmy, A. M., Nassif, A. A., Fergany, L. A., … Atta, H. K. (2025). Effectiveness of myofascial release technique versus dry cupping therapy in management of patients with non-specific low back pain. SPORT TK-EuroAmerican Journal of Sport Sciences, 14, 166. https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.696001
Issue
Vol. 14 (2025)
Section
Articles

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The works and papers that are published in this Journal are subject to the following terms:

1. The Publication Service of the University of Murcia (the publisher) has the Publication Rights (Copyright) to the published papers and works, and favors and permits the reusing of the same under the license indicated in point 2.

© Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2013

2. The papers and works are to be published in the digital edition of the Journal under the license Creative Commons Reconocimiento-No Comercial-Sin Obra Derivada 3.0 España (legal text). The copying, using, spreading, transmitting and publicly displaying of the papers, works or publication are permitted as long as: i) the authors and original sources (Journal, publisher and URL of the publication) are quoted; ii) it is not used for commercial benefit; iii) the existence and specifications of this users license are mentioned.

3. Conditions of Self-Archiving. It is permitted and encouraged that the authors spread electronically the pre-print (before printing) and/or post-print (the revised, evaluated and accepted) versions of their papers or works before their publication since this favors their circulation and early diffusion and therefore can help increase their citation and quotation, and also there reach through the academic community.