Effect of Upper Thoracic Mobilization on Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain

Abstract
Background: Recently, attention has been given to use the manual therapy for thoracic spine to treat Mechanical Neck Pain (MNP).
The Aim of Study: To investigate the effect of upper thoracic mobilization on Cervical Range of Motion (CROM), resting pain level and functional abilities of the neck in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain.
Subjects and Method: Thirty patients with chronic me-chanical neck pain participated in this study. Subjects were divided into two groups, fifteen in each group. The first group was the treatment group (Group A) who received upper thoracic mobilization and traditional physical therapy program; and the second group was the control group (Group B) who received the traditional physical therapy program only. Before and after the treatment, the CROM was measured by baseline cervical inclinometer, the rest pain level was measured by a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and neck disability was measured by Neck Disability Index (NDI). Patients in treatment group were treated with upper thoracic mobilization, infra-red, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and cervical muscle stretching exercises. On the other hand, patients in control group were treated the same like treatment group without upper thoracic mobilization.
Results: There is a statistical significant difference between both groups. There is a positive effect of upper thoracic mobilization on CROM and neck function when comparing with routine physical therapy, there was no a statistical significant effect of upper thoracic mobilization on resting pain level when compared with routine physical therapy.
Conclusion: There is a positive effect of upper thoracic mobilization on all CROM and neck function, although there was no a significant effect on resting pain level.