Using dry cupping to help recover from muscle damage

Effect of Post-exercise Dry Cupping Therapy on Muscle Recovery

Not applicable Interventional University of Saskatchewan · NCT06900556

This study tests if dry cupping therapy can help people recover faster from muscle soreness and damage after doing bicep curls.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment10 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 35 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Saskatchewan Academic / other
Locations1 site (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)
Trial IDNCT06900556 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of dry cupping therapy on muscle recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage. Participants will perform bicep curls, after which one arm will receive dry cupping with suction while the other arm will receive a placebo treatment without suction. The study will measure muscle strength, swelling, and soreness at various intervals post-exercise to determine the efficacy of dry cupping. The design includes randomization of treatment arms to ensure unbiased results.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy males and females aged 18-35 who have experience with upper arm resistance training.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions that could make exercise dangerous or those with skin sensitivities in the treatment area may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a new, non-invasive method to enhance muscle recovery for athletes and individuals engaged in resistance training.

How similar studies have performed: While dry cupping is a widely used technique, this specific investigation into its effects on muscle recovery is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female
* 18-35 years old
* Experienced with upper arm resistance training for at least 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

* Conditions that might make exercise dangerous (determined by "yes" answers to the "Get Active Questionnaire")
* Open wounds, scars, eczema, or other skin sensitivities on the biceps area

Where this trial is running

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Muscle Damage
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.