Efficacy of Mobilization With Post- Isometric Relaxation in Neck Pain Associated With Myofascial Trigger Points

Efficacy of Mobilization With Post- Isometric Relaxation in Neck Pain Associated With Myofascial Trigger Points

Efficacy of Cervical Mobilization With Post Isometric Relaxation in Managing Mechanical Neck Pain Associated With Myofascial Trigger Points: a Randomized Comparative Study

purpose of the study: to determine the effectiveness of cervical mobilization with PIR in reducing pain and improving neck ROM and function in people with mechanical neck pain associated with MTrPs

This study will be based on a randomized controlled design which will be comparative in nature. Participants will be recruited using the convenience sampling method and will be randomly divided into two groups A and B respectively. Thirty participants of mechanical neck pain associated with upper Trapezius trigger point pain will be recruited from the Physiotherapy department, at the Najran University, Saudi Arabia. Study objectives and procedure will be properly explained and written informed consent will be obtained at the beginning of the study. All the participants will be randomly assigned into two equal groups A and B. Group A will be receiving the hot pack, active Stretching, isometric exercise intervention, and PIR technique while group B will receive the hot pack, active Stretching, isometric exercise intervention, and cervical Mobilization.

In PIR intervention, the patients were requested to lie down in a supine position and their neck was in a lateral flexion to the opposite side so that the target upper Trapezius muscle fibers would be in a lengthened position. The therapist performed a moderate isometric contraction (approximately 75% of maximal) of upper Trapezius muscles, held it for 5 seconds, then relaxed for 3 seconds before moving the cervical spine into the new barrier. In each session, this technique was repeated for four times, on alternate days for three weeks.

Cervical Mobilization was delivered in prone lying with their foreheads resting comfortably on his hands, and the chin was tucked in.The treatment session was done on alternate days (3 days a week) for 3 weeks, hence the total number of sessions were 9.

Hot Pack was given for twenty minutes, slow sustained stretching exercises ( 20 second hold, 10-second relaxation) were given, and isometric exercise of the neck((10 repetitions of two sets with 10 seconds hold) alternate days for three weeks.

The pain intensity was assessed Using a numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), Its a 11 point scale, where zero indicates no pain and 10 indicates severe pain

The Neck Disability was assessed using a neck disability index (NDI) questionnaire, the minimum value 0- and the maximum value is 50

Inclusion Criteria: age 20-40 years, having mechanical neck pain located in the neck or scapular regions along with 1-2 MTrPs which, on palpation replicated their chief complaints in the upper Trapezius muscle (unilateral). Exclusion Criteria: known cases of fibromyalgia syndrome, cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy, history of cervical spine surgery, congenital or acquired postural deformity, presence of MTrPs in bilateral upper Trapezius muscles, patients who received any treatment for their pain one month prior to the study.