Written by
- IIDE, Kazuhide: Department of Health Science Faculty of Physical Education
- SAKAMOTO, Takahiro: Department of Health Science Faculty of Physical Education
- NODA, Masato: Okubo Himawari Judotherapy Clinic
- SUDO, Takashi: Department of Health Science Faculty of Physical Education
- SHIBUTANI, Tomonari: International Pacific University, Institute of Sports Science
- KAWANO, Yoshihisa: Department of Health Science Faculty of Physical Education
Abstract：The purpose of this study was to investigate the flow of blood when using percutaneous suction treatment devices. Blood volume was measured using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS). The subjects were 10 healthy male. At the beginning a reflection was taken. Then a percutaneous suction medical device was performed. OXY Hb, Total Hb, StO2 increased. No change was seen with de OXY Hb. Blood flow in front of the thigh decreased transiently. After that, it showed an increase. With the use of percutaneous aspiration medical devices, blood flow is temporarily ischemic. It is necessary to increase the number of the subjects for this study. Keywords：Near Infrared Spectroscopy, Blood volume, Percutaneous suction device
I. Introduction
As a concrete intervention method to promote the prevention and care of sports injuries and disorders, physical therapy can effectively utilize treatment methods that harness physical energy, including heat, cold, electricity, light, ultrasound, water flow, and manual techniques.
For example, when someone sprains an ankle and applies a compress to warm the affected area, this can be considered a type of thermotherapy using thermal energy. Similarly, when someone suffers from a stiff neck and applies electrical stimulation to relax the muscles, this is a form of electrotherapy.
However, making clinical decisions about what kind of physical therapy, with what treatment mode, should be applied to which symptoms requires a comprehensive understanding: including the classification of physical therapy, its objectives, treatment methods, contraindications, and clinical epidemiological evidence of intervention effects. It is also essential to accurately understand the athlete’s psychological, physical, and sport-specific characteristics and make integrated decisions.
During treatment with a transcutaneous suction therapy device, by providing stimulation that promotes contraction and relaxation of the muscles while applying suction, it is said to enhance circulation efficiency and gliding properties of both the superficial and deep subcutaneous layers. Additionally, by using electrical stimulation to relieve contractures in deeper muscles and by adjusting signals from the brain through skin stimulation (gate control mechanism), it is claimed to exert pain-relieving effects. However, there are few reports providing evidence to support these claims.
The skin suction system of the transcutaneous suction therapy device is described as a technique to address muscle-related problems. Muscle pain is said to originate immediately beneath the epidermis, which is only about 1 mm thick. In the connective tissue known as “fascia” located just under the epidermis, lymph fluid, water, and pain-inducing substances can accumulate and stimulate nerves, leading to symptoms such as pain, stiffness, swelling, and bruising.
It is believed that simply applying appropriate suction to the surface of the skin can restore normal circulation of lymph fluid and water, achieving dramatic improvement in symptoms through what is called “lipid flow conditioning.” Even when various approaches targeting bones, tendons, and muscles fail to produce improvement, or when visiting a hospital does not lead to sufficient relief, fascial adhesions are often considered to be the cause of persistent pain and discomfort.
Medisell Care is considered an innovative and safe therapy that can respond to many cases from acute to chronic stages. While fundamentally restoring body balance and improving blood and lymph circulation, it is said to help patients quickly regain a normal physical condition. However, the evidence supporting its effectiveness remains limited.
Ⅱ. Purpose
The purpose of this study is to apply treatment using a transcutaneous suction therapy device that stimulates muscle contraction and relaxation while performing suction, and to record the blood flow dynamics of the superficial and deep subcutaneous layers using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The aim is to clarify the changes in blood flow dynamics of the superficial thigh before and after treatment.
Ⅲ. Subjects: Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
The subjects were 10 healthy men (age: 21.7±1.1 years, height: 171.9±3.9 cm, weight: 68.6±14.1 kg) who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria set below and gave consent to participate in the study.
① Inclusion criteria
- Adults with no systemic health problems
- No history of major injuries around the thigh (such as femoral fractures requiring surgery) or history of restricted exercise for over a month
② Exclusion criteria
- Smokers
- Regular use of medication
③ Precautions for subjects on the day before the study
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
- Avoid strenuous exercise
- Avoid stimulants (spicy food, large amounts of caffeine)
Ⅳ. Explanation and Consent
This study was conducted following the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of International Pacific University (Approval number: IPU Ethics 20-012). The purpose and procedures were explained sufficiently to the subjects, and written consent was obtained.
Ⅴ. Methods – Measurement Procedure
Blood flow dynamics were measured before and after treatment of the superficial thigh layer (about 1 cm deep). Subjects lay in a supine position with the knee of the measured limb flexed at 20–25° to promote muscle relaxation. After resting quietly for 15 minutes, the transcutaneous suction therapy device was applied for 1 minute, followed by measurement using a laser tissue blood oxygen monitor for 3 minutes.
As a comparison, blood flow dynamics were also measured for 3 minutes without applying the suction therapy. The NIRS sensor was placed 10 cm above the upper edge of the patella, on the line connecting the upper patellar edge and the anterior superior iliac spine, ensuring all subjects were measured at the same location.
Because skin thickness, body fat percentage, body water content, and sensory thresholds vary between subjects, suction strength was adjusted subjectively to a level that felt “comfortably tight.” The speed of moving the treatment head was set at 35–45 round trips per minute.
Each subject underwent two measurements: once with the suction therapy applied and once without. One week later, the order was reversed, and the second measurement was conducted. Group assignment was randomized by drawing lots.
Ⅵ. Research Equipment Used
① Near-infrared spectroscopy laser tissue blood oxygen monitor (OMEGAMONITOR BOM-L1 TRW by OmegaWave Co.)
This device non-invasively and continuously measures oxygenated hemoglobin (OXY Hb), deoxygenated hemoglobin (de OXY Hb), total hemoglobin (Total Hb), and oxygen saturation (St O2) in tissues. It can capture blood dynamics simultaneously from shallow and deeper regions, making it suitable for monitoring muscle metabolism.
Figure 1: Measurement principle of the laser tissue blood flow and oxygenation monitor used in this study
② Transcutaneous suction therapy device (Medisell MINI Pro8 by MJ COMPANY)
This device directly suctions the skin while massaging with rollers, aiming to improve fascial adhesions through fascial release. It features five interchangeable attachments to suit various body parts and symptoms, and suction strength can be digitally adjusted. By providing stimulation to promote muscle contraction and relaxation during suction, it is said to enhance circulation efficiency and gliding in both superficial and deep subcutaneous layers, relieve deep muscle contractures with electrical stimulation, and reduce pain through gate control effects triggered by skin stimulation.
The unique skin suction system is intended to address muscle pain, which is thought to stem from the accumulation of lymph fluid, water, and pain substances just beneath the epidermis, irritating nerves and causing symptoms such as pain, stiffness, swelling, and bruising. By appropriately suctioning the skin surface, it is said to restore proper circulation through “lipid flow conditioning” and improve symptoms.
Ⅶ. Statistical Analysis
Statistical processing was conducted using Excel with the add-in software Statcel 3 (OMS Publishing, 2011). Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Paired t-tests were used to test for significant differences before and after intervention, with significance defined at p < 0.05.
Ⅷ. Results
Changes in OXY Hb, de OXY Hb, Total Hb, and St O2 before and after suction therapy are shown in Figure 2. OXY Hb increased significantly from 6.67±1.29 to 11.07±1.85 (p<0.01), Total Hb increased from 17.76±3.51 to 22.15±4.58 (p<0.05), and St O2 rose from 37.61±1.23% to 41.09±1.97% (p<0.001). There was no significant change in de OXY Hb.
Ⅸ. Discussion
Various skin suction treatments exist, including cupping devices, skin-lifting devices, and transcutaneous suction devices. Although approaches differ slightly, these methods are said to provide effects such as pain relief, improved joint range of motion, enhanced blood flow, reduced swelling, and autonomic nervous system regulation.
Some studies report improvements in range of motion or effects on pain during skin incision from transcutaneous suction stimulation. However, reports verifying other effects are limited.
In this study, we focused on blood flow dynamics in the superficial skin layer using NIRS. The method allows non-invasive measurement of Hb concentration at a few centimeters below the skin surface, capturing OXY Hb and de OXY Hb simultaneously. Total Hb reflects tissue blood volume, and the difference between OXY Hb and de OXY Hb is related to tissue oxygen consumption.
After applying suction therapy, OXY Hb, Total Hb, and St O2 significantly increased, suggesting improved blood flow. We speculate that a temporary ischemic state created by suction triggered autoregulation to increase muscle blood flow, resulting in these changes.
Muscle blood flow generally remains stable despite changes in arterial or venous pressure, supporting local tissue needs. Thus, suction-induced ischemia may prompt autoregulatory mechanisms to supply more blood, reflected in our results.
Further studies, including on deeper tissue dynamics and comparison with massage or other methods, are needed to verify these findings.
Ⅹ. Conclusion
① NIRS was used to measure superficial thigh (1 cm deep) blood flow dynamics before and after transcutaneous suction therapy.
② Significant increases were observed in OXY Hb, Total Hb, and St O2, while de OXY Hb showed no significant change.
③ It is hypothesized that skin suction induced temporary ischemia, activating autoregulation that increased blood flow to the muscle, reflected in the observed increases in OXY Hb, Total Hb, and St O2.
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