Comparison Between Passive Vertebral Mobilization and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Techniques in Managing Pain and Disability in Patients With Mechanical Neck Pain

Neck Pain is very common and is now considered a public health issue. It poses significant health and economic burden, being a frequent cause of disability. A significant proportion of direct health care costs associated with neck disorders are attributable to visits to health care providers, to sick leave, and to the related loss of productive capacity. Mechanical neck pain affects between 45-54% of people in the general population .This can result in severe pain and disability. Mechanical neck pain described as a reduction in the mobility of cervical spinal segment is often the focus of manipulative physical therapy interventions. Most neck pain is not attributed to diseases but rather caused by muscular and postural condition. The cervical pain is a mechanical problem .It is therefore sense that a mechanical treatment works better than pharmacological treatment.

Cervical spine often impairs flexibility of key muscles related to cervical spine . Stretching exercise is beneficial for increasing flexibility as well as muscle performance.

The normal function of cervical spine is complex and requires a large variety of activities to be coordinated in order for an individual to perform daily activities with the least amount of strain and potential injury. When the dysfunction develops in the cervical spine, a chain reaction may develop which can affect the whole neck and even the entire body.

Commonly used approaches to treatment include rest, therapeutic massage, application of physical agents like heat, cold, TENS, and ultrasonic various types of mobilizations, manipulations (by physical therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths and others), therapeutic exercises, postural care and off course medication and surgical interventions. However, studies of their effectiveness have generally been short-term and inconclusive. The aim of the study is to compare which treatment either Passive Vertebral Mobilization or Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, whether itself or in combination, is more effective and beneficial in the treatment of mechanical neck pain.

Several studies have been reported to determine the effectiveness of manual therapy/ passive vertebral mobilization but with largely inconclusive results. However there are few studies if any to compare PNF exercise with PVM in terms of their effectiveness. PNF are simple and requiring low level expertise as compare to PVM.