Immediate and short-term effects of thoracic manipulation with neck muscles stretching compared with neck muscles stretching on alteration of pain and range of motion in mechanical neck pain
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Abstract
Background: Mechanical neck pain is generally found among manual workers. Manual therapy is one of treatment for patients with neck pain. Alternatively, thoracic spine thrust manipulation may efficiently treat mechanical neck pain. Therefore, treatment using biomechanical connection between cervical and thoracic spine can increase joint mobility for improvement of neck disorders.
Objectives: To investigate the immediate effects of post-test (48-72 hours and short-term 2 weeks follow up) of thoracic manipulation in combination with stretching exercise on mechanical neck pain, pressure pain threshold, Neck Disability Index (NDI), forward head posture, and cervical range of motion.
Materials and methods: Forty patients with neck pain were recruited in the study. Participants were divided into four groups: (1) thoracic manipulation; (2) thoracic manipulation with stretching exercise; (3) stretching exercise; and (4) control.
Results: There was a statistically significant difference between outcomes of the groups. Thoracic manipulation with stretching exercise group had better results than that of manipulation, stretching group, and control group on visual analog pain scale. Statistically significant difference was found when its effect was to the stretching and control group on NDI and pressure pain threshold. Thoracic manipulation with stretching exercise group had a statistically significant difference when compared to stretching, control group on forward head posture, and cervical range of motion in extension direction.
Conclusion: Thoracic manipulation may be an alternative treatment in mechanical neck pain in producing more benefits when is used in combination with stretching exercise to decrease neck pain, increase cervical range of motion, and tends to neutralize head posture decreasing neck disability.
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