Abstract:

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the initial effectiveness of cervical mobilization for treating cervical Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS). Methods: A total of 46 subjects diagnosed with MPS were randomly allocated in two treatment groups. Hot pack, massage and a home exercise program were applied to both groups. Mobilization techniques were additionally applied to these modalities in the second group. All subjects were assessed before and after treatment for pain intensity, number and tenderness of trigger points, range of motion and disability. Results: The groups were not different from each other at baseline (p>0.05). When compared with pre-treatment values, a significant decrease in pain complaints, increase in range of motion and reduce in disability was found in both groups after treatment (p<0.05). It was also found that the number and tenderness of trigger points were decreased in both groups. Conclusion: The results of this study shows that combined physiotherapy applications including hot pack, massage and a home exercise program decrease the pain, number and tenderness of trigger point, and improve the range of motion and the disability caused by chronic neck pain in patients with cervical MPS. Adding cervical spine mobilization to this treatment protocol did not change patients’ outcomes.

Keywords: