References

Myofascial Decompression (Cupping Therapy)

1. Wang Y, Dong S, Li B, Han M, Cao H. Update evidence of effectiveness on pain relieving of cupping therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Tradit Chin Med. 2025;45(2):234-253. doi:10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2025.02.002

2. Zhang Z, Pasapula M, Wang Z, Edwards K, Norrish A. The effectiveness of cupping therapy on low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials. Complement Ther Med. 2024;80:103013. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2024.103013

3. Jia Y, Dong X, Chai Y, et al. Effects of cupping therapy on chronic musculoskeletal pain and collateral problems: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2025;15(5):e087340. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-087340

4. Stubbs PW, Camargo P, Hall T, et al. The efficacy of dry cupping compared to placebo cupping for people with musculoskeletal complaints: a systematic review with meta-analysis. JOSPT Open. 2025. doi:10.2519/josptopen.2025.0159

5. Nazari G, Mirshamsi M, Ghaffari M. Cupping therapy in rehabilitation: a narrative review of mechanisms and applications in musculoskeletal practice. Int J Creat Res Thoughts. 2025;13(5). ISSN:2320-2882

6. Al-Bedah AMN, Elsubai IS, Qureshi NA, et al. The medical perspective of cupping therapy: effects and mechanisms of action. J Tradit Complement Med. 2019;9(2):90-97. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2018.01.001

7. Wood S, Fryer G, Tan LLF, Cleary C. Dry cupping for musculoskeletal pain and range of motion: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2020;24(4):503-518. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.06.024

8. Moura CC, Chaves ECL, Cardoso ACLR, Nogueira DA, Correa HP, Chianca TCM. Cupping therapy and chronic back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2018;26:e3094. doi:10.1590/1518-8345.2888.3094

9. Lauche R, Cramer H, Hohmann C, et al. The effect of traditional cupping on pain and mechanical thresholds in patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain: a randomised controlled pilot study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:429718. doi:10.1155/2012/429718

10. Cramer H, Lauche R, Hohmann C, et al. Randomized-controlled trial comparing yoga and home-based exercise for chronic neck pain. Clin J Pain. 2013;29(3):216-223. doi:10.1097/AJP.0b013e318251026c

Mulligan Mobilization (Mobilization With Movement)

11. ElMeligie MM, Abdeen HA, Atef H, Marques-Sule E, Karkosha RN. The effectiveness of Mulligan mobilization with movement (MWM) on outcomes of patients with ankle sprain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2025;17(1):105. doi:10.1186/s13102-025-01121-6

12. Celik D, Van Der Veer P, Tiryaki P. The clinical significance of Mulligan's mobilization with movement in shoulder pathologies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Integr Complement Med. 2025;31(2):134-142. doi:10.1089/jicm.2024.0200

13. Stathopoulos N, Dimitriadis Z, Koumantakis GA. Effectiveness of Mulligan's mobilization with movement techniques on range of motion in peripheral joint pathologies: a systematic review with meta-analysis between 2008 and 2018. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2019;42(6):439-449. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2018.11.015

14. Hussein H, Atteya M, Ansari A, Kamel E. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of Mulligan mobilization with movement on pain, range of motion, function, and flexibility in patients with sciatica. J Man Manip Ther. 2025. doi:10.1177/10538135241301693

15. Vicenzino B, Hing W, Rivett DA, Hall T, eds. Mobilisation With Movement: The Art and the Science. Edinburgh, UK: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2011.

16. Satpute K, Reid S, Mitchell T, Mackay G, Hall T. Efficacy of mobilization with movement (MWM) for shoulder conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Man Manip Ther. 2022;30(1):13-32. doi:10.1080/10669817.2021.1955181

17. Weerasekara I, Deam H, Bamborough N, Brown S, Donnelly J, Thorp N, Rivett DA. Effect of mobilisation with movement (MWM) on clinical outcomes in lateral ankle sprains: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Foot (Edinb). 2020;43:101657. doi:10.1016/j.foot.2019.101657

18. Hidalgo B, Hall T, Bossert J, Dugeny A, Cagnie B, Pitance L. The efficacy of manual therapy and exercise for treating non-specific neck pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2017;30(6):1149-1169. doi:10.3233/BMR-169615

19. Villafane JH, Silva GB, Fernandez-Carnero J. Short-term effects of neurodynamic mobilization in 15 patients with secondary thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011;34(7):449-456. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2011.05.012

20. Vicenzino B, Paungmali A, Buratowski S, Wright A. Specific manipulative therapy treatment for chronic lateral epicondylalgia produces uniquely characteristic hypoalgesia. Man Ther. 2001;6(4):205-212. doi:10.1054/math.2001.0411

Active Release Technique (ART)

21. Barnes P, Rivera M, Gaw C, Moats M, Hund J. The effect of active release technique on clinician and patient-reported outcomes: a systematic review. J Sport Rehabil. 2022;31(3):331-336. doi:10.1123/jsr.2021-0106

22. Kim JH, Jung JH, Kim NY. Effects of the active release technique on pain and range of motion of patients with chronic neck pain. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27(8):2461-2464. doi:10.1589/jpts.27.2461

23. Howitt SD, Wong J, Zabukovec S. The conservative treatment of trigger thumb using Graston techniques and active release techniques. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2006;50(4):249-254.

24. George JW, Tunstall AC, Tepe RE, Skaggs CD. The effects of active release technique on carpal tunnel patients: a pilot study. J Chiropr Med. 2006;5(4):119-122. doi:10.1016/S0899-3467(07)60150-7

25. Leahy PM. Active Release Techniques: Soft Tissue Management System for the Upper Extremity. 2nd ed. Active Release Techniques, LLC; 2008.

26. Schiottz-Christensen B, Mooney V, Azad S, Selstad D, Gulick J, Bhatt M. The role of active release manual therapy for upper extremity overuse syndromes: a preliminary report. J Occup Rehabil. 1999;9(3):201-211. doi:10.1023/A:1021355225919

27. Robb A, Pajaczkowski J. Immediate effect on pain threshold using active release technique on adductor strains: pilot study. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2011;15(1):57-63. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2009.06.006

28. Tak SJ, Lee Y, Choi W, Lee G. The effects of active release technique on the gluteus medius for pain relief in persons with chronic low back pain. Phys Ther Rehabil Sci. 2013;2(1):27-30. doi:10.14474/ptrs.2013.2.1.27

29. Mishra D, Prakash RH, Mehta J, et al. Comparative study of active release technique and myofascial release technique in treatment of patients with upper trapezius spasm. J Clin Diagn Res. 2018;12(11):YC01-YC04. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2018/37442.12234

30. Trivedi P, Sathiyavani D, Nambi G, Shah K, Khuman R, Bhatt C. Comparison of active release technique and myofascial release technique on pain, grip strength and functional performance in patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis. Int J Physiother Res. 2014;2(3):488-494.

Note on Evidence Quality

The research cited above represents the best currently available evidence for each technique. As acknowledged within these references, many studies in manual therapy are limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneous populations, lack of blinding, and short follow-up periods. Where the evidence base is developing, MoveWell With Don presents findings with appropriate clinical context and does not overstate efficacy. Evidence quality ratings are noted within individual service page copy where relevant.

MoveWell With Don Physical Therapy & Performance  |  San Diego, CA  |  Dr. Don Hoang, PT, DPT, MFDc