Effectiveness of Therapeutic Exercise Versus Manual Therapy in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain

Effectiveness of Therapeutic Exercise Versus Manual Therapy in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain - Randomized Clinical Trial

It has been estimated that between 50% and 85% of the population will suffer neck pain along their life. Chronic nonspecific neck pain is one of the main causes of disability in the population, it represents 25% of visits to physiotherapy, and it also has a high chance of chronification. The efficacy of combining manual therapy and therapeutic exercise for the treatment of this pathology has been demonstrated a lot of times. However, no conclusive studies have been found that compare the isolated application of both treatments, thus being an important focus of action and research. The main objective of the study is to check if the treatment with therapeutic exercise is better than manual therapy in the improvement of the disability in patients with chronic neck pain. A randomized, controlled, monocentric, parallel and single-blind clinical trial will be carried out. The simple will be obtained from the population over 18 years old with chronic neck pain of more than 12 weeks of evolution and will be those who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients will be randomly divided into 2 intervention groups, in one of the groups will be applied a manual therapy session of about 30 minutes once a week for 4 weeks. In the other group it will be delivered and explained to the patients, a home therapeutic exercise program that will be carried out on alternate days for 4 weeks.

Manipulation of the high dorsal region in extension. Cervical mobilizations. Massage therapy. Suboccipital inhibition. Once a week.

Recruitment and strengthening of the cervical flexors. Isometric cervical exercises with self-resistance. Shoulder girdle strengthening exercise. Alternating days.

Inclusion Criteria: Nonspecific cervical pain of more than 12 weeks of evolution. Over 18 years. Exclusion Criteria: Oncological processes. Pregnancy. Infectious diseases. Degenerative diseases. Fibromyalgia. Previous spinal surgeries. Previous traumatic events. Hernias and/or cervical protrusions. Neurological processes. Current treatment for cervical pain. Neuropathic characteristics pain.