A Comparative Study Between Myofascial Decompression (Cupping Therapy) And Kinesio Taping Analyze The Effectiveness In Swimmer’s Shoulder
Keywords:
Swimmer’s shoulder, Myofascial decompression, Cupping therapy, Kinesio taping, Shoulder pain, SPADI, VAS, Athletic rehabilitationAbstract
Background: Swimmer’s shoulder is a prevalent overuse injury in competitive swimmers, resulting from repetitive overhead motion that leads to musculoskeletal imbalances and soft tissue dysfunction. Among the conservative treatments used in rehabilitation, myofascial decompression (cupping therapy) and kinesio taping have gained popularity, but comparative evidence on their efficacy remains limited.
Objective: To compare the effectiveness of myofascial decompression and kinesio taping in reducing pain and disability among swimmers diagnosed with swimmer’s shoulder.
Methods: A total of 40 competitive swimmers with clinically diagnosed swimmer’s shoulder were randomly allocated into two groups. Group A received myofascial decompression therapy, while Group B underwent kinesio taping intervention. Outcome measures included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), assessed pre- and post-intervention.
Results: Both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in VAS and SPADI scores post-intervention (p < 0.05). However, Group A showed a greater reduction in pain (VAS: 7.2 ± 1.1 to 2.4 ± 0.9) and disability (SPADI: 68.5 ± 5.6 to 32.7 ± 4.2) compared to Group B (VAS: 7.1 ± 1.0 to 3.6 ± 1.2; SPADI: 67.9 ± 6.0 to 42.8 ± 5.3).
Conclusion: While both interventions were effective, myofascial decompression was superior in reducing pain and disability in swimmers with shoulder overuse injuries. The results suggest that incorporating cupping therapy into rehabilitation protocols may yield faster and more sustainable recovery outcomes in the athletic population
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