Objective To observe hemodynamic changes in the local sucked tissue of lower back undergoing negative pressure after cupping in patients with lumbago.Methods Twenty-two lumbago outpatients were recruited in the present study and 32 sucked tissues accepted measurements.The cupping was applied to the tenderpoint of the patients' lower back for 10 min by using a glass-mug(5 cm in diameter).Hemodynamic indexes [peak systolic velocity(PSV)

end-diastolic velocity(EDV) and resistance index(RI)] of the sucked skin and subcutaneous tissues at the lower back were detected before and after cupping by using a color Doppler flow imaging.Results After cupping intervention at the lower back

the PSV[(14.2±1.8) cm/s] and EDV [(5.5±0.7) cm/s] levels were increased significantly in comparison with those [(5.9±0.9) and(1.9±0.3) cm/s] before cupping(P<0.01)

while RI was reduced evidently after cupping(0.61±0.05 vs 0.68±0.06

P<0.01)

suggesting an increase of the regional blood flow.Conclusion Cupping therapy can increase the peak systolic velocity and end-diastolic velo-city and lower vascular resistance of the subcutaneous arterioles in the regional tissue

which may contribute to its effect in relieving lumbago.