Efficacy of dorsal spine manipulation and cranio-cervical flexion in two selected postures in non-specific neck pain

Abstract

Background: The endeavour of this study was to examine the effectiveness of thoracic or dorsal spine manipulation over cranio-cervical flexion in two postures in subjects with mechanical neck pain and to find the improvement in pain, disability, forward head posture and endurance. An experimental set up for four training groups of thoracic manipulation, deep neck flexors, cranio-cervical flexors in prone on elbow and isometric neck groups was done. Methods: The subjects with a history of neck pain reporting to physiotherapy department were scrutinized for inclusion & exclusion criteria. The subjects undergone intervention in one of the four groups for 6 sessions within 1-week duration. After 6th session of intervention, treatment data were collected. Results: There was a significant difference in the result of VAS scale between the groups based on the test. There was a minimal difference seen in the neck functional disability scale by Copenhagen between the groups and the time score or endurance between two selected postures. The inter group analysis showed significant difference in the mean values of the outcome measures. Conclusion: Among the patients who underwent a protocol for mechanical neck pain for 6 sessions for a week showed statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement in their active daily living functions. Cranio-cervical flexion in sphinx position (prone on elbow) found to be more effective than cranio-cervical flexion in supine and self-resisted isometric neck strength training on pain, disability and forward head posture in subjects with nonspecific mechanical neck pain.