Effects of Brief Dry Cupping on Muscle Soreness in the Gastrocnemius Muscle and Flexibility of the Ankle

Abstract

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of brief dry cupping on muscle soreness of the gastrocnemius muscle and range of motion (ROM) in the ankle.METHODS Thirty-six participants (age=29±10 yrs, ht=173.8±10.3 cm, wt=75.3±15.9 kg) were randomly assigned to three groups: A (no exercise), B (bilateral heel drops to exhaustion), and C (right unilateral heel drops to exhaustion). Dorsiflexion ROM was assessed bilaterally for all groups. All participants received the cupping protocol on the right gastrocnemius, but C also received it on the left. Dry cupping was applied using four two-inch cups in four quadrants on the calf for 90 seconds. Soreness was reported using a 10-point VAS scale at 24- and 48-hours. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to examine the effects of cupping on soreness and range of motion, respectively. Alpha was set at 0.05 for all tests.RESULTS A significant difference in muscle soreness existed between right (3.58±1.31 VAS) and left (2.83±1.02 VAS) calves for group B at 24 hours (p = 0.029). No other significant differences existed between calves that were and were not cupped (p > 0.05). No significant differences in ROM occurred between any conditions (p > 0.05).CONCLUSION Ninety seconds of dry cupping on the calf may reduce 24-hr muscle soreness after performing heel drops to exhaustion, but has no effect on ROM.

Comparative Effect of Myofascial Cupping Therapy to Stretching Exercises on Gastrocnemius Soreness

“…Their methodology included applying dry cupping to the gastrocnemius and assessing the effects on soreness and ROM using a 10-point VAS scale and repeated measures ANOVAs. The study found significant differences in muscle discomfort between the cupped and non-cupped calves, suggesting that dry cupping could reduce muscle soreness post-exercise, though its effect on ROM was not substantial (17). Wood et al ( 2021) explored the efficacy of dry cupping in patients with non-specific low back pain and chronic neck discomfort.…”