Dry Cupping Therapy on Rotator Cuff Injuries

Shoulder pain is the most common musculoskeletal problem after spine and knee complaints. Rotator cuff injuries (RCI) are the most common cause of shoulder pain. RCI includes a wide spectrum from subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) to chronic tendinopathy, partial and total ruptures of the rotator cuff. In recent years there has been a renewed interest in traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) for various musculoskeletal problems. Cupping therapy, which is one of the most commonly used TCM methods, is one of the oldest medical applications with thousands of years of history. Although it is thought to be effective in many diseases, there are not enough studies in the literature about its effectiveness and mechanism of action. Our aim in this study is to investigate the effects of moving dry cupping therapy on pain, range of motion (ROM), functionality and quality of life in RCI.

Shoulder pain is the most common musculoskeletal problem after spine and knee complaints. Rotator cuff injuries (RCI) are the most common cause of shoulder pain. RCI includes a wide spectrum from subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) to chronic tendinopathy, partial and total ruptures of the rotator cuff. Conservative and surgical techniques are used in the treatment. Conservative treatments; various medical treatments, activity modifications, hot and cold agents, exercise, manual therapy, acupuncture, electrophysical agents, etc. includes applications. In recent years there has been a renewed interest in traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) for various musculoskeletal problems. Cupping therapy is an ancient TCM treatment that has been practiced in different ways in many cultures in Asia, Europe and the Middle East throughout history, but its true origin remains unclear. Although cupping therapy has been used to treat pain and various complaints for thousands of years, it has almost disappeared from the therapeutic spectrum of Western medicine with pharmacological developments in the late 20th century. However, over the past few years, interest in the cup has increased, and new clinical research suggests that the cup may be potentially effective in the management of painful conditions, in the treatment of pain-related diseases. Although it is stated in the literature that it is used in the treatment of many neuromusculoskeletal problems, according to the information participants have obtained in the relevant literature, there is not yet a study examining the effects of cupping therapy in RCI. In the light of these data, our aim in this study is to investigate the effects of moving dry cupping therapy on pain, range of motion (ROM), functionality and quality of life in RCI.Hypotheses: H0: Cupping therapy has no effect on improving pain, ROM, functionality and quality of life in individuals with RCI. H1: Cupping therapy has an effect on improving pain, ROM, functionality and quality of life in individuals with RCI.