1. Introduction
disability, pain
MUSCLE RELAXATION, CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is defined as pain that persists for more than 3 months in the lower back region, and is one of the leading causes of disability and work absenteeism.Moving cupping is a traditional therapy that has been used for centuries to manage pain and promote relaxation. This therapy involves applying suction cups to the skin, which are subsequently moved around the body to promote blood flow and relieve muscle tension.One of the main challenges in evaluating the effectiveness of moving cupping for CLBP management is the lack of objective measures to assess its therapeutic effect. Although subjective reports of pain relief are commonly used to evaluate the efficacy of complementary therapies, they are often unreliable and may be influenced by placebo effects.The aim of this study was to develop a randomized controlled trial (RCT) protocol to evaluate the effectiveness of moving cupping for CLBP management using SWE to assess muscle relaxation. Specifically, it investigates whether moving cupping promotes muscle relaxation and alleviates pain in patients with CLBP. By providing objective measures of muscle relaxation and pain relief, this RCT protocol has the potential to significantly improve our understanding of the efficacy of moving cupping as a complementary therapy for CLBP. The findings may provide valuable insights for clinicians and researchers to optimize the clinical application of moving cupping and SWE for CLBP management, potentially improving patient outcomes and quality of life.