Published Paper Details:

BACKGROUND: Muscle flexibility is a crucial component of proper human function. Limited flexibility has been found to increase the risk of musculoskeletal overuse injuries and have a major impact on a person's level of function. OBJECTIVE: This study was to compare the effect of cupping and instrumental assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM)on hamstring flexibility. METHOD: 50subjects having hamstring tightness were divided into two groups with 25 subjects in each group. The outcome measure used was sit and reach test and 90-90 SLR test. Subjects of group A were given with cupping therapy, while the subjects of group B were given with instrumental assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM).therapy .The technique was performed two sessions a week for three weeks. RESULT: The results demonstrated that Both hamstring stretching exercises increased the knee extension angle during the AKE test. Both the groups showed significant improvement after 3 weeks in the hamstring flexibility. However, according to, no significant difference between both the groups were found (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: instrument assisted soft tissue mobilisation (IASTM) has similar effect as cupping on hamstring flexibility after 3 weeks of treatment.