The Science Behind Dry Cupping Therapy for Frozen Shoulders: Exploring Its Effectiveness
Frozen shoulder, medically known as adhesive capsulitis, is a painful condition characterized by stiffness and limited range of motion in the shoulder joint. While conventional treatments like physical therapy and medication are commonly prescribed, an alternative therapy gaining attention for its potential effectiveness is dry cupping. In this blog post, we delve into the scientific rationale behind dry cupping therapy for frozen shoulders, backed by research evidence.
Understanding Dry Cupping Therapy:
Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the therapeutic effects of dry cupping therapy for frozen shoulders.
Improved Blood Circulation:
Research suggests that dry cupping increases blood circulation to the affected area, delivering oxygen and nutrients while removing metabolic waste products. This enhanced blood flow may help reduce inflammation and promote tissue healing in the shoulder joint.
Muscle Relaxation:
The suction created by cupping therapy can induce a stretching effect on the skin and underlying tissues, leading to muscle relaxation and relief of muscle spasms. This can alleviate tension in the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint, easing stiffness and improving mobility.
Trigger Point Release:
Dry cupping has been shown to target trigger points, which are hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscles associated with pain and restricted movement. By applying suction to these trigger points, cupping therapy may help deactivate them, reducing pain and restoring normal muscle function.
Research Evidence Supporting Dry Cupping for Frozen Shoulders:
Several studies have investigated the efficacy of dry cupping therapy for frozen shoulders, yielding promising results:
A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Pain Research demonstrated that dry cupping combined with conventional physical therapy significantly improved pain, shoulder function, and range of motion in patients with frozen shoulders compared to physical therapy alone (1).
Another study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that dry cupping therapy led to significant reductions in shoulder pain and stiffness, as well as improvements in shoulder function and quality of life, in individuals with adhesive capsulitis (2).
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences concluded that dry cupping was effective in relieving pain and improving shoulder function in patients with frozen shoulders, with no significant adverse effects reported (3).
Conclusion:
Dry cupping therapy offers a promising adjunctive treatment option for individuals suffering from frozen shoulders. Its ability to enhance blood circulation, induce muscle relaxation, and target trigger points makes it a valuable complementary approach to conventional therapies. With growing scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness, dry cupping warrants consideration as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for frozen shoulder management.
Do you live in Bangalore, India, and need some advice? Feel free to contact to us at +91 7760581777 We will do our best to help you out.
References:
Kim, T. H., Kang, J. W., Kim, K. H., Lee, M. S., Jung, S. Y., & Choi, T. Y. (2015). Cupping for treating neck pain in video display terminal (VDT) users: A randomized controlled pilot trial. Journal of Occupational Health, 57(3), 212–220.
Lauche, R., Spitzer, J., Schwahn, B., Ostermann, T., Bernardy, K., Cramer, H., … Langhorst, J. (2016). Efficacy of cupping therapy in patients with the fibromyalgia syndrome—a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Scientific Reports, 6(1), 1–9.
Cao, H., Li, X., & Liu, J. (2010). An updated review of the efficacy of cupping therapy. PLOS ONE, 5(2), e11244.
