The Effects of Cupping Massage in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain - A Randomized Controlled Trial

Randomised Controlled Trial on the Influence of Cupping Massage on Pain Intensity and Sensory Mechanical and Pain Thresholds in Patients With Chronic Non Specific Neck Pain

The study aims to investigate the influence of 5 cupping massage treatments on chronic non specific neck pain. 50 patients with neck pain are randomised into cupping treatment and waiting list control group. Before and after the intervention the investigators evaluate the neck pain (VAS), the neck related disability (NDI), pain on movement (POM) and the quality of life (SF36) and safety. To investigate neurophysiological effects of cupping the investigators also measure mechanical detection threshold (MDT), vibration detection threshold (VDT) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) and the two point discrimination threshold at pain related and control areas.

The treatment group receives 5 cupping treatments over a period of 3 weeks.

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Inclusion Criteria:

• age between 18 and 75
• permanent neck pain for at least three months in a row
• a minimum of 40mm of neck pain on a 100mm visual analogue scale (VAS)

Exclusion Criteria:

• neck pain caused by trauma, inflammatory or malignant disease, by congenital malformation of the spine or if pain was accompanied by radicular symptoms such as radiating pain, paresis, prickling or tingling.
• invasive treatments within the last 4 weeks, surgery to the spine within the last year, corticosteroid or opioid treatment.
• serious acute or chronic organic disease such as diabetes or cancer, mental disorders, pregnancy, and haemorrhagic tendency or anticoagulation treatment.
• non steroidal pain medication and physiotherapy were allowed if the treatment regimen was not altered for four weeks before and continued during the study.