The Effect of Static Cupping Therapy in Non-specific Low Back Pain for Primary Dysmenorrhea

Abstract

Dysmenorrhea is often referred to as painful menstruation with cramping sensations in the lower abdomen, resulting in discomfort. This pain commonly radiates to both the thighs and lumbosacral regions. A 23-year-old female presented with a complaint of severe abdominal pain during menses, accompanied by low back pain (LBP) that typically started at the onset of menstrual flow and lasted for the first 24-48 hours for which no analgesics were taken by the patient. The pain intensity was recorded on a numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) that showed 6 out of 10 for abdominal and low back pain during activity and 4 out of 10 at rest, on account of which a two-day supervised static cupping therapy protocol was devised for the patient. After treatment, the NPRS recorded a remarkable decrease in pain intensity to 2 out of 10 for abdominal and low back pain during activity, as well as at rest. As static cupping therapy is used to target deeper muscles in the lower back and abdomen; this case report aims to highlight the beneficial effects of static cupping on primary dysmenorrhea and related non-specific low back pain.