The Impact of Muscle Energy Technique and Aromatherapy

Nonspecific neck pain (NSBP) can occur without any history of injury or specific pathology related to the musculoskeletal system, or as a result of a postural or mechanical cause. Studies conducted on office workers have shown that working at a desk for long periods of time causes significant pain in the neck region, although not primarily. There are many therapeutic modalities in the treatment of neck pain. However, manual therapy approaches have been increasingly popular in many countries in recent years. Muscle energy technique (MET) is a treatment approach that uses soft tissue or joint manipulation or mobilization to improve the musculoskeletal system and reduce pain, including stretching maneuvers after active muscle contraction and relaxation. The technique, defined as a type of massage application, is used by utilizing physiological properties such as viscoelastic properties of myofascial tissues. MET is among the physiotherapy methods that affect joint range of motion, spinal pain, tissue fluid drainage and proprioception. In the literature, in the study comparing the effects of MET and Thai massage treatment on neck pain, it was stated that their effects on pain were similar, but their effectiveness with different massages and aromatherapy was not investigated. Aromatherapy is another complementary treatment method used in the treatment of musculoskeletal system diseases. It is stated that the components of the essential oils used during aromatherapy massage reach the circulatory system through the lymph and blood vessels in the epidermis and affect the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, endorphin, noradrenaline and serotonin, thus reducing pain.Individuals with nonspecific neck pain who work at a desk will be included in the study. Individuals will be examined in 3 groups: Muscle energy technique (MET), aromatherapy and control group. All participants will be given home program-style exercises consisting of neck isometric, posture and stretching exercises by a physiotherapist. In addition to exercise, individuals in the MET and aromatherapy groups will be given exercises for 4 weeks, while the control group will be given only exercise. Evaluation questionnaires will be applied to participants at the end of the 0th and 4th weeks. At the end of the study, outcome measures between the groups and before and after data within the groups will be compared.

Inclusion criteria

• Age between 35-55 years
• Female
• Office worker
• NP that has persisted for at least six months.

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals under the age of 18,
• Those with a history of neck-related surgery,
• Individuals with known serious pathologies (e.g., malignancy, inflammatory disorders, infection),
• Those with a history of trauma or fracture in the cervical spine,
• Individuals showing symptoms of cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy,
• Individuals known to have allergies to the oils to be used,
• Damaged skin,
• Individuals with a history of allergy to lavender and almond,
• Those with a history of respiratory system diseases,
• Individuals for whom massage and manipulation are contraindicated.