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Cupping has been extensively used in the treatment of various medical conditions since antiquity. In this randomized controlled trial, we investigated the effects of wet cupping therapy on the outcomes of football athletes with cervical spine injuries and low back pain. Our study was conducted at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine involving 40 athletes consisting of 28 males and 12 females. Single blinding was used and participants were divided into an intervention (wet cupping) and a sham group. Our findings showed significant reduction in pain intensity scores from the pre-intervention (7.2 ± 1.5) to post-intervention (4.5 ± 1.2), suggesting a positive effect of wet cupping therapy on cervical spine injuries (Mean Difference [MD] = -2.7 ± 1.3, p = 0.001). Statistically significant increase in functional improvements in the intervention group from pre-intervention (28.3 ± 4.0) to post-intervention (18.9 ± 3.5) due to the wet cupping therapy (MD = -9.4 ± 2.1, p = 0.021). Significant improvements in the range of motion assessed from cervical flexion, cervical extension, cervical lateral flexion, and cervical rotation. Sleep quality based on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores exhibited a mean difference of -1.4 ± 1.2 which was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Muscle strength of Neck Flexors, Neck Extensors, Upper Trapezius, Rhomboids, Cervical Rotators, Deltoids and Biceps were significantly while minimal adverse outcomes were observed in the intervention group. In conclusion, the application of wet cupping therapy could be an effective treatment for alleviating pain, improving muscle strength, quality of life, range of motion, functional improvements and reducing adverse outcomes in athletes with cervical spine injuries.
