Effects of myofascial trigger point dry cupping on pain and function in patients with plantar heel pain: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: To investigate the effects of dry cupping on calf muscle myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) on pain and function in patients with plantar heel pain. Methods: Seventy-one patients were randomly divided into an intervention group or control group. Both groups performed stretching exercises for the calf muscle and plantar fascia and ankle dorsiflexion exercises. The intervention group also received dry cupping. The primary outcome measures were visual analogue scale (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and patient-specific functional scale (PSFS). The secondary outcomes were ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and ankle plantar flexor strength. These measurements were performed at baseline, immediately after intervention, and after 2 days. Results: Current VAS significantly decreased immediately in the intervention group (p = 0.002), but not in the control group (p >= 0.220). Morning VAS decreased significantly in both groups (p <0.001) after 2 days, but decreased more in the intervention group (p = 0.006). Trigger point PPT significantly improved immediately in the intervention group (p = 0.003), but not in the control group (p = 0.112). Both groups improved significantly in PSFS (p <0.001) and ankle dorsiflexion ROM (p <0.001). Plantar flexor strength significantly increased immediately in the intervention group (p <0.001), but not in the control group (p = 0.556). Conclusion: Adding dry cupping on calf MTrPs to self-stretching and ankle dorsiflexion exercises for patients with plantar heel pain was superior to only self-stretching and active ankle dorsiflexion exercises in pain, ankle dorsiflexion ROM, and plantar flexor strength. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.