The effect of different types of cupping therapy on acute changes in ankle dorsiflexion

Cupping therapy involves lifting and separating fascial tissue to facilitate stretching and promote blood flow. Although cupping is a common treatment modality for pain, various protocols exist and studies are inconsistent in regards to whether cupping improves outcomes such as range of motion. We aimed to determine the acute effect of different types of cupping therapy on ankle dorsiflexion.

Thirty-five generally healthy adults (mean ± SD; age: 22.1 ± 4.52 y; baseline ankle ROM: 34.68 ± 4.22°) were randomly assigned to one of four cupping therapy treatment groups: static, dynamic, static sham, or dynamic sham. Ankle ROM was measured using a digital inclinometer pre- and immediately post-intervention. ANCOVA was used to determine whether ROM differed between groups post-treatment when controlling for baseline ROM and the minimal detectable change (MDC) was used to determine clinical meaningfulness of the changes.

Baseline ROM was significantly associated with post-intervention ROM (post-ROM: 38.41 ± 4.95°; p < .001), indicating an overall increase in ROM regardless of the intervention received. There was no difference in ROM between therapy groups post-intervention after controlling for baseline ROM. The dynamic cupping group experienced a change in ROM (baseline ROM: 34.11 ± 4.62°, post-ROM: 39.19 ± 6.44°) above the MDC (5.08°).

Our findings support cupping as a modality for improving ankle ROM in individuals with limited ROM. Dynamic cupping may be effective for improving ankle ROM due to the addition of functional movement. Clinicians may consider dynamic cupping as a potential intervention to address limited ankle ROM.