Cupping Therapy versus Myofascial Release for Mechanical Low Back Pain: A Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Inherent abnormalities with the spine, the intervertebral disks, or the surrounding soft tissues are the source of mechanical Low Back Pain (LBP). The present case report presented two cases of mechanical LBP in a 27-year-old and a 26-year-old female, as they complained of LBP that typically began due to prolonged sitting and has lasted for atleast two months. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) indicated a pain intensity of seven out of 10 for LBP for both the patients and Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (MODQ) indicated that disability was 54%; consequently. The 27-year-old female patient was provided with a twoweek supervised static cupping therapy protocol and 26-year-old female patient was provided with a Myofascial Release (MFR) protocol. After treatment, the NPRS revealed a remarkable reduction in pain intensity to two out of 10 for LBP for cupping therapy intervention and for MFR intervention reduction in pain intensity was marked four out of 10 for LBP. Disability was reduced to 14% for cupping therapy intervention and for MFR intervention disability was reduced to 22%. As static cupping therapy is used to target the deeper musculature of the lower back and MFR treatment used for overall release of fascia, the purpose of this case report was to illustrate the comparison in the effects of cupping therapy and MFR on mechanical LBP in reducing pain intensity and disability.