Comparison of Thoracic Manipulation and Muscle Energy Technique in Non-specific Mechanical Neck Pain

Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder. Mechanical neck pain is also known as non-specific neck pain and is defined as the pain anywhere within the region bounded superiorly by superior nuchal line, inferiorly by an imaginary line through the tip of first thoracic spinous process and laterally by sagittal plane tangential to the lateral borders of the neck in which pain is provoked by sustained neck posture, neck movement, pain on palpation of cervical musculature without pathologies. In most patients, neck pain can be a common cause of disability: it is associated with daily activity limitations, reduction of work productivity and decrease in quality of life. Mechanical neck pain is commonly seen in people involved in occupation like computer processing, clerical job, students and people with sedentary life style awkward occupational posture, heavy lifting and physically demanding work.

thoracic spine manipulation (TSM) is defined as a high-velocity/low amplitude movement or "thrust" directed at any segment of the thoracic spine.

Muscle energy technique (MET) is a method of treatment that involves the voluntary contraction of subject's muscles in a precisely controlled direction, against a counterforce and producing post isometric relaxation through the influence of the Golgi tendon. MET is used to decrease pain, stretch tight structures muscle and fascia, reduce muscle tone, improve local circulation, and mobilize joint restriction

Inclusion criteria

• Patients who present with a primary complaint of mechanical neck pain (defined as pain in the region between the superior nuchal line and first thoracic spinous process) with limited Range of motion.
• Patients with non-radiating neck pain of moderate intensity scoring 4-8 on the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS).
• Subacute or chronic cases (4 -12 weeks)
• Have a Neck Disability Index (NDI) score of 20% or greater (10 points or greater on a 0-to-50 scale)
• Dull aching neck pain increased by sustained postures, neck movement

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with a positive history of trauma, fracture or surgery of the cervical spine.
• Neck pain with radiation to the arm and upper extremity
• Diagnosed cases of torticollis, and scoliosis
• History of osteoporosis, Any heart disease
• Taken previous physiotherapy session.