The effectiveness of wet-cupping for nonspecific low back pain in Iran: a randomized controlled trial

INTERVENTION: intervantion: Wet‐cupping, Control: drug, rest, physiotherapy intervantion: Wet‐cupping, Control: drug, rest, physiotherapy. CONDITION: Low Back Pain. PRIMARY OUTCOME: Low Back Pain. Timepoint: At baseline and 3 months following intervention. Method of measurement: the McGill Present Pain Index. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Disability. Timepoint: At baseline and again 3 months following intervention. Method of measurement: Oswestry Pain Disability Index. Medication. Timepoint: At baseline and again 3 months following intervention. Method of measurement: Medication Quantification Scale. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria included: (a) lower back pain persisting for 4 weeks or more; (b) age 17–68 years; and (c) current episode of low back pain having at least a 4‐week duration. Exclusion criteria included possible spinal pathology (e.g., carcinoma), severe or progressive motor weakness or central disc prolapse, pending litigation (e.g., workplace injury), bleeding disorders (e.g., hemophilia), and current treatment with wet‐cupping.