[Purpose] Cervicogenic headache is a major problem in patients with upper cervical dysfunction. However, its physical therapy management is a topic of debate. This study aims to determine the effect of C1-C2 Mulligan sustained natural apophyseal glide mobilizations on cervicogenic headache and associated dizziness. [Participants and Methods] This study included 48 patients with cervicogenic headache, who were randomly assigned to three equal groups: Group A (Headache SNAG), group B (C1-C2 SNAG rotation), and group C (combined). Neck Disability Index was used to examine neck pain intensity and cervicogenic headache symptoms. The 6-item Headache Impact Test scale was used to examine headache severity and its adverse effects on social life and functions. Flexion-Rotation Test was used to assess rotation range of motion at the level of C1-C2 and confirmed by a cervical range of motion device. Dizziness Handicap Inventory scale was used to evaluate dizziness. The evaluation was done pre- and post-treatment and compared between the groups. [Results] Group C showed significant improvement in all variables compared with groups A and B. [Conclusion] Sustained natural apophyseal glide mobilizations used in the study were effective in reducing cervicogenic headache and dizziness in all groups with a greater improvement in the combined group. The use of cervical SNAG mobilizations is encouraged as a noninvasive intervention depending on the therapist’s assessment, findings, and clinical reasoning.

Background: Forward head and rounded shoulder posture (FHRSP) is a common clinical postural misalignment. It leads to flexion posture of the spine which increases the amount of tension on the nerve roots, which inversely affects muscle strength and function of the upper extremity. So, this study was conducted to examine the effect of FHRSP on hand grip strength in asymptomatic young adults and to explore the relationship between the craniovertebral angle (CVA) and hand grip strength. Results: There was no significant difference in hand grip strength between the groups (p = 0.812). There was no correlation between the CVA and right and left hand grip of the normal group (p = 0.840, 0.816 respectively), rounded shoulder posture (RSP) group (p = 0.523, 0.650 respectively), and FHRSP group (p = 0.855, 0.736 respectively). Regarding the right and left hand grip strength, there was no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.798, 0.826 respectively). The right hand grip strength was significantly higher than the left hand for all groups (p = 0.001). Conclusion: This study displayed that hand grip strength was not affected by FHRSP nor RSP in asymptomatic young adults. Moreover, the degree of the CVA was not associated with an inverse effect on hand grip strength.

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Introduction: Mechanical neck pain (MNP) is a problem that can be result from various causes but it is usually result from poor or faulty posture, overuse injuries or trauma. Materials and Methods:Thirty patients with mechanical neck pain were assigned randomly into three groups: Group (A) 10 participants received conventional physical therapy program. Group (B) 10 participant received conventional physical therapy program plus natural apophyseal glides (NAGs). Group (C) 10 participant received conventional physical therapy program plus kinesio tape. Pain intensity level, neck functional disability level, and cervical range of motion were measured pre and post intervention period.Results: There was significant decrease in numerical pain rating scale and neck disability index. There was significant increase in range of motion for all groups. Conclusion:The conventional physical therapy program and NAGS are effective in improving pain intensity level, neck functional disability level, and cervical range of motion in mechanical neck pain more than the conventional physical therapy program and kinesio tape and conventional physical therapy program alone.

Introduction: Nonspecific neck pain is a frequent cause for adults to consult health care providers. Therefore, the physical therapist should always seek the most effective intervention(s) within the wide spectrum of treatments available, so this study was conducted to examine the effect of transcranial laser on somatosensory integration in nonspecific neck pain patients.Methods: Thirty-two male subjects suffering from non-specific neck pain participated in the current study. They were randomly assigned via a balanced stratified assignment. The experimental group (N=16) received trans-cranial infra-red laser (50mw, 90 snm pulsed mode, and 1.2 J/cm 2) over sensory cortex whereas, the control group (N=16) received placebo laser. The assessment of N30 and P22-N30 components of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were done before and immediately after treatment session for both groups.Results: There was a statistically significant difference between groups regarding N30 peak of SEPs after a single trans-cranial laser session (p=0.0062) with no significant difference between pre and post-treatment data in the experimental group (p=0.0803) and control group (p=0.5577) with a percentage of change (-2.38%) and (1.009%) respectively. In addition, post-treatment results revealed no statistically significant difference between groups regarding an a P22-N30 component of SEPs (p=0.0933). Conclusion:According to the parameters used in the study, it was concluded that trans-cranial laser did not affect somatosensory integration in nonspecific neck pain patients.