EFFECT OF SPINAL MOBILIZATION WITH ARM MOVEMENT VERSUS DYNAMIC CUPPING THERAPY ON PAIN INTENSITY AND RANGE OF MOTION IN CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

This study compares Spinal Mobilization with Arm Movement (SMWAM) and Dynamic Cupping Therapy in individuals with cervical radiculopathy, focusing on pain reduction and improvement in neck mobility. SMWAM is performed with the patient seated upright while the therapist applies a sustained, pain-free glide to the involved cervical segment, most commonly between C5 and C7. During the glide, the patient actively performs arm elevation on the symptomatic side. The technique is delivered in a pain-free direction with 6–10 repetitions per set, three sets per session, over 10 sessions on alternate days. Each session lasts 15–20 minutes and is followed by home-based cervical isometric and stretching exercises to maintain benefits. Dynamic cupping therapy involves placing silicone or glass cups over the muscles related to the affected cervical nerve root. Negative pressure is created using a suction pump, and the cups are then glided longitudinally along the cervical and upper shoulder region with light to moderate suction. Each session lasts 10–15 minutes, with a total session duration of 15–20 minutes, provided over 10 alternate-day sessions. Outcome measures for both interventions include pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale, cervical range of motion measured in degrees using a universal goniometer, and functional disability evaluated using the Neck Disability Index. Inclusion criteria include adults aged 30–50 years of any gender diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy, presenting with neck pain radiating to the arm and positive clinical tests such as Spurling’s, cervical distraction, or upper limb tension test. Exclusion criteria include recent cervical trauma or surgery, inflammatory or systemic conditions, cervical myelopathy, systemic neuropathies, and contraindications to cupping therapy such as skin infections or bleeding disorders.