The Effects of Manual Therapy on Balance and Cervical Proprioception

Nonspecific neck pain (NSNP) is one of the most common causes of neck pain and it occurs as a result of postural or mechanical causes without a specific musculoskeletal pathology or injury history. Neck pain leads to a decrease in the activity of the deep cervical muscle which contains a large amount of muscle spindles, with an increase in the activity of the superficial cervical muscle. Depending on the pain, chemical changes occur in the cervical receptors and differentiation in sensitivity of the muscle spindle is observed. These changes in the structures of the cervical region predispose to deterioration in the sense of proprioception, which is an important component of balance. The disruption in proprioceptive abilities causes sensori-motor defects, muscle inhibition, muscle atrophy, and muscle fatigue. Changing cervical afferent information can affect proprioception as well as balance. Both the presence of neck pain and disruptions in the proprioceptive sense may reflect negatively on balance and postural control. In a study comparing patients with neck pain with asymptomatic individuals, increases in postural sway were found in patients with neck pain, and it was stated that the increased sway was associated with the dysfunction of the postural control system.

In the light of these informations, treatment approaches that can positively contribute to proprioception and balance gain importance in patients with NSNP. Although manual therapy is used both to reduce pain, and to increase cervical mobility in patients with NSNP, the number of studies investigating the effects of manual therapy on balance and proprioception is quite insufficient.

It was thought that mobilization applied to the cervical region can improve cervical proprioception and mobility, reduce pain and contribute positively to balance. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of mobilization applications on the balance and cervical proprioception in patients with NSNP.

Inclusion criteria

• to be diagnosed with NSNP by a physiatrist
• to be in the age range of 18-60 years
• to have pain affected by neck movements
• to have restriction of cervical region in at least the last three weeks

Exclusion criteria

• Neurological or orthopedic disease that may affect balance / proprioception
• presence of neurological / inflammatory symptoms
• presence of cervical instability
• to have trauma / cervical surgery / severe osteoporosis
• to use of drugs that may affect balance (antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, sedatives, betahistine)
• to have visual / vestibular disorder
• pregnancy