The effect of massage technique plus thoracic manipulation <i>versus</i> thoracic manipulation on pain and neural tension in mechanical neck pain: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

[Purpose] To determine the short-term effects of thoracic manipulation, used alone or in conjunction with the Rungthip massage technique, on pain and neural extensibility in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. [Participants and Methods] Thirty participants were randomly allocated to the aforementioned two groups. Outcome measures were neck pain at rest assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, and elbow extension range of motion evaluated using Upper Limb Neurodynamic Test 1 prior to treatment and three weeks after it. [Results] A statistically significant reduction in resting neck pain, and an improvement in elbow extension range of motion was reported by both groups shortly after the moment when the pain was first felt (threshold level). However, an improvement in elbow extension range of motion was not observed in either group at the maximum level of pain (tolerance level). A significant reduction in resting neck pain was seen in the thoracic manipulation plus Rungthip massage group, compared to that achieved using thoracic manipulation alone. [Conclusion] The use of thoracic manipulation and Rungthip massage is recommended to reduce resting neck pain and increase pain-free neural tissue extensibility.