Effects of Myofascial Release Versus Dry Cupping on Pain, Muscle Length, and Functional Disability in IT Professionals With Trapezitis.

Myofascial Release (MFR) is a manual therapy targeting fascial restrictions and trigger points in the upper trapezius. In this study, it involves slow, sustained pressure, stretching, and gliding techniques to restore tissue mobility and reduce muscle tension. Unlike dry cupping, which uses negative pressure and acts more superficially, MFR directly engages deeper fascial layers through therapist-guided contact, allowing precise identification and treatment of restrictions.

For IT professionals with trapezitis, prolonged postures lead to tightness, reduced muscle length, and disability. MFR applies pressure for 90-120 seconds to achieve fascial relaxation, improve circulation, and enhance muscle extensibility. This results in reduced pain and improved function. Its individualized, feedback-based approach distinguishes it from the more passive application of dry cupping, making it effective for addressing underlying dysfunction.

Dry cupping therapy is a non-invasive technique that uses negative pressure to lift the skin and superficial tissues over the upper trapezius. In this study, cups are applied to tender, hypertonic areas to improve blood flow, reduce stiffness, and relieve pain. Unlike Myofascial Release, which uses direct manual pressure and deep fascial manipulation, dry cupping works indirectly through suction without continuous therapist contact.

In IT professionals with trapezitis, prolonged postures lead to tightness and discomfort. Dry cupping enhances microcirculation, reduces nociceptive input, and supports tissue relaxation, resulting in pain relief and functional improvement. Suction intensity is adjusted based on tolerance and skin response. Its passive, suction-based mechanism distinguishes it from the active, hands-on approach of Myofascial Release.

• Cupping Therapy

Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), a unidimensional self-reported measure widely used in musculoskeletal and neck pain research. The NPRS consists of an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Participants will be asked to rate their current level of neck or upper trapezius pain at rest.

The NPRS has demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.95-0.96), strong construct validity, and high responsiveness for detecting clinically meaningful changes in individuals with neck pain. A change of 2 points or 30% reduction is considered the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in musculoskeletal conditions. Due to its simplicity, sensitivity, and minimal respondent burden, the NPRS is recommended for use in clinical trials involving neck and trapezius pain.

Upper trapezius muscle length will be assessed using a standardized tape-measure method during controlled cervical side-flexion with contralateral rotation. Measurements will be taken by recording the linear distance between fixed anatomical landmarks, from the mastoid process to the acromion, while maintaining consistent posture and head positioning. Participants will be seated upright with thoracic support, and compensatory trunk movements will be avoided.

Assessments will be conducted at baseline, mid-intervention (end of week 2), and post-intervention (after 4 weeks) to evaluate short-term and progressive changes in muscle extensibility. This method is reliable, practical, and cost-effective for assessing superficial muscle length, particularly in the upper trapezius. With standardized positioning and consistent landmark identification, it shows good intra-rater reliability and sensitivity to change following interventions, enabling objective comparison between treatment groups.

Functional disability will be assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), a validated questionnaire for evaluating self-reported disability related to neck pain. It includes 10 items covering pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, work, concentration, headaches, driving, sleeping, and recreational activities. Each item is scored from 0 to 5, with a total score out of 50, often expressed as a percentage to indicate disability level.

The NDI will be administered at baseline, mid-intervention (2 weeks), and post-intervention (4 weeks) to monitor changes and treatment progression. It demonstrates high internal consistency, strong reliability, and validity in neck pain populations, including occupational groups. Its responsiveness to physiotherapy outcomes and relevance to work-related limitations make it a reliable tool for assessing functional disability in IT professionals with trapezitis.