Active clinical trials for "Neck Pain"

Chronic neck pain is a common disorder for spine specialists. Radiofrequency ablation of medial branches has been proven effective in selected patients for relieving pain. A newer radiofrequency ablation cannula has been developed (multi-tined), allowing perpendicular access. It is proposed as an alternative to the more technically challenging traditional approach. This study aims to compared the technical and clinical aspects of both techniques.

The main objective of this research is to assess the effectiveness of virtual reality as a treatment to reduce pain and disability in patients with chronic neck pain compared to a regular exercise program for the neck.

A multi-center randomized controlled trial assessing the comparative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Doin (conduction exercise) with acupuncture for chronic neck pain

Dry needling (DN) is a treatment technique widely used in patients with various musculoskeletal health problems due to myofascial trigger points (MTrP). DN has shown to have positive effect on pain and function in patients with mechanical neck pain. These positive results are thought to be the consequence of specific neurophysiological and mechanical processes. Research has shown that DN induces 1) end plate inhibition, 2) reduction of inflammatory substances, 3) increase of blood flow and oxygen and 4) a reduction of nociceptive afferent activity. However, the exact working mechanisms underlying DN effects is still a topic of debate. This trial addresses one of the major methodological issues in needle testing,the effects of proper blinding. DN is a specific technique that is not easily be replaced by another comparable intervention. A sham needle with a blunt tip was created that simulates penetration into the skin without actually doing so. Research about a valid method for the control in needling studies is for this reason of particular relevance. A proper blinding technique is of importance to further the field of DN.

Something must be done in order to release the tension within the dura mater before any lasting correction of the spine can be effected. Each of the cranial nerves is wrapped in a sheath of dura mater. As they exit the cranial vault they are described by Gray's Anatomy as having a "dural cuff".

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of modified pilates exercises on neck pain, deep neck flexor muscles edurance, joint position sense and functionality in patients with chronic neck pain.

Neck pain is the 3rd cause of disability worldwide and represents an enormous socioeconomic burden. It has been reported that people with neck pain, with traumatic and non-traumatic onset, have an alteration of the sensorimotor function compared to pain-free people, such as deficits in the head and neck repositioning or alteration of the body balance. It has been suggested that alterations on the proprioception of the suboccipital muscles may cause a decrease in head and neck repositioning accuracy and changes in head and neck positioning patterns. The suboccipital muscles, particularly the obliquus capitis inferior (OCI), has a greater density of muscular spindles compared to lower cervical segments, which is believed to play an important role in the proprioception. The alteration of the JPE is more often found in patients with a dysfunction in the upper cervical spine, but people with lower dysfunction can also exhibit it. However, no conclusive results on JPE have been reported with articular techniques targeting the upper cervical spine. On the contrary, positive results on this test have been observed after the retraining of the upper cervical muscles. As OCI is a deep muscle, dry needling seems to be the most appropriate passive modality of treatment to target that muscle and restore the abnormal cervical sensorimotor control. However, this hypothesis has never been tested.

In this study, the investigators will evaluate the efficacy and safety of pharmacopuncture therapy for chronic neck pain compared to physical therapy.

The term myofascial pain refers to the existence of myofascial trigger points (MTP), which are defined as hypersensitive points in a tense band of skeletal muscle, which can cause referred pain or autonomous phenomena. To address the treatment of myofascial trigger points, conservative and invasive techniques have been proposed. Dry needling is one of the invasive techniques that have been shown to be effective in improving pain and function in patients with myofascial trigger points. This trial aims to analyse the effectiveness of dry needling in patients with myofascial neck pain.

A multitude of stretching parameters are used in the clinical setting. However, there is no convincing evidence to suggest which parameters are most effective in the management of chronic myofascial pain syndrome .In this regard, although the stretching duration is considered one of the most important variables that can affect the treatment outcome, to date there is little agreement on the most effective stretching duration.Accordingly ,we will conduct this study to investigate the effect of different stretching duration on nerve root function ,central conduction time, and chronic myofascial pain management outcomes.