A Comparative Analysis of Cupping Therapy and Static Stretching for Hamstring Tightness Among Gym Enthusiasts

Abstract

Introduction: Muscle tightness referred to the sensation of increased tension or stiffness in the muscles. Cupping therapy was specifically used to decompress adhesions and scar tissue, relax muscle spasms, decrease trigger point pain, and reduce inflammation following trauma. Stretching involved physical exercises that placed body parts in various positions to lengthen and elongate muscles, thereby enhancing flexibility. The study aimed to compare the effects of cupping therapy and static stretching on hamstring tightness in gym enthusiasts. Aim: To evaluated and compared the effects of cupping therapy and static stretching on hamstring tightness in gym enthusiasts. Method: After obtaining ethical approval, divided the eighty-eight gym enthusiasts with hamstring tightness into two groups. Group A received cupping therapy three times a week for one week, which included both static and dynamic cupping combined with 10 repetitions of active knee flexion. Group B performed static stretching of the hamstring muscles for three consecutive days over one week. Pre and post assessments were conducted using the hip 90-90 straight leg raise (SLR) test. Result: A paired sample t-test revealed significant improvements in both groups: Cupping Therapy (p = 0.000) and Static Stretching (p = 0.000). An unpaired t-test showed extremely significant difference between the both groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: Both cupping therapy and static stretching effectively reduced hamstring tightness, but cupping therapy demonstrated superior results. Key words: Hamstring tightness, Cupping Therapy, Static Stretching, Hip 90-90 SLR (straight leg raising) test.