The short-term effects of dry cupping the lumbar paraspinal muscles on pain and function in individuals with non-specific low back pain: A single-blind randomized trial

Background: Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is a major global cause of disability, contributing to substantial healthcare costs and reduced quality of life. Current treatments often provide inconsistent relief. Dry cupping has shown potential for improving pain and function, but high-quality evidence supporting its efficacy in NSLBP remains limited. Objective: This study assessed the short-term effects of dry cupping on pain and function in individuals with NSLBP. Methods: A single-blind randomized clinical trial enrolled 52 adults (31 females, 21 males, aged 18–55 years) with clinician-confirmed NSLBP (otherwise healthy; no specific spinal pathology, leg symptoms, pregnancy, cancer, prior lower-body surgery, or bleeding disorders). Participants were recruited from a university, local clinics, and advertisements and allocated to an intervention or placebo group. Treatment consisted of three sessions, 48 h apart. Primary outcomes were pain (pressure pain threshold [PPT] using algometry and Numeric Pain Rating Scale [NPRS]); secondary outcomes were function (Sit-and-Reach, inclinometry, Roland-Morris Questionnaire, and Patient Global Impression of Change Scale [PGICS]). Data were analyzed using mixed factorial ANOVAs. Results: Compared with placebo, dry cupping produced greater improvements in PPT (between-group difference 7.9 N, 95% CI 3.54–12.29; p < .001, η 2 =.604), NPRS (2.42 points, 95% CI 1.69–3.15; p < .001, η 2 =.660), Sit-and-Reach (5.5 cm, 95% CI 0.28–10.88; p < .001, η 2 =.372), inclinometry (7.1°, 95% CI 2.47–11.69; p < .001, η 2 =.335), Roland-Morris (1.9 points, 95% CI 0.62–3.31; p = .002, η 2 =.115), and PGICS (1.70, 95% CI 0.92–2.48; p < .001, η 2 =.158). Conclusion: Dry cupping may provide short-term improvements in pain and function and may be a useful adjunct for NSLBP management.