Cupping shown to enhance muscle activity in those with chronic lower back pain.
Cupping a back
In this research they looked at a single session of cupping on people with chronic lower back pain. Interestingly it seemed to have no difference on reported pain scores. However it did have an effect when seen through multichannel surface electromyography (sEMG). There was “enhanced horizontal synchronization of lower back muscular activity”. In other words it helped the lower back muscles function better on both sides of the spine.