Scapulo-Thoracic Mobilization Compared to IASTM in Patients With Mechanical Neck Pain

Riphah International University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Mechanical Neck Pain

Treatments: Other: scapulothoracic mobilization; Other: IASTM

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05475405

REC/01073 Iqra

Details and patient eligibility

About

SCAPULO-THORACIC MOBILIZATION COMPARED TO IASTM IN PATIENTS WITH MECHANICAL NECK PAIN

Full description

Mechanical neck pain is common musculoskeletal condition that causes work disabilities and is not self-limiting. One of the main causes for mechanical neck pain is forward head posture, which is common and but not ideal posture adopted by many workers and students who presents with head being anterior to the shoulder. Imbalances in the normal muscle function reported in such patients with inhibited deep neck flexors, serratus anterior and rhomboids and tightened pectoralis, upper trapezius and levator scapula.

Neck and scapula have some common muscle attachments and abnormal loads on cervical or thoracic spine change the biomechanics of muscles present in these regions, which eventually cause trigger points Management of scapulo-thoracic joint focuses on correcting posture, restoring flexibility of the scapula including the pectoralis minor, levator scapulae, rhomboids, mobilization and soft tissue techniques.

IASTM is ergonomically designed stainless steel tool, and has recently gained much popularity for elevating pain, reducing trigger points and improving ROMs because it has deeply penetrating power as compared to mobilization through hand. This technique works by both along the mobilizing muscle fibers or parallel to the muscle fibers.

Enrollment: 32 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 40 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age group 18 to 40 years
• Both gender groups
• Non radiating neck pain

Exclusion criteria

• History of cervical and thoracic spine surgery
• Vertibro-basilar insufficiency
• Sign of serious pathology like malignancy
• Signs of systemic inflammatory disorder
• Patient with diagnosed hypertension
• (scapular area pathology)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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32 participants in 2 patient groups

Scapulothoracic mobilization along with conventional physical therapy for mechanical neck pain.

Experimental group

Description:

conventional physical therapy: Scapulothoracic mobilization: Patient in prone lying position. The left hand of the physical therapist lifts the scapula to distract from the thoracic wall while the right hand mobilizes and stretches the inferior muscle groups attached to the scapula.

Treatment:

Other: scapulothoracic mobilization

IASTM with conventional physical therapy for mechanical neck pain

Active Comparator group

Description:

Conventional Physical Therapy: IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Technique): Patient sitting or prone lying Restrictions and myofascial adhesions assessed prior to treatment fanning strokes at 45 degree angles to skin be applied using the tool

Treatment:

Other: IASTM