Effectiveness of Foam Rolling and Muscle Energy Technique on Pain, Range of Motion, Functional Disability and Quality of Life in Patients with Mechanical Neck Pain : A Single Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Neck pain is a prevalent cause of long-term impairment globally, accounting for around 30% of cases each year. Women are more affected than men, and middle-aged people are more likely to experience . Mechanical neck pain (MNP) can cause pain, limited range of motion, and reduced function. It is frequently caused by muscular spasms or problems with the facet joints

Alternative therapies including Myofascial Release (MFR) and Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) have been studied recently. MET, a manual therapy, has been shown to be successful in increasing range of motion and reducing pain by contracting muscles against resistance to increase mobility and decrease muscle tension. MFR has also demonstrated advantages in reducing pain and enhancing function in MNP patients by applying concentrated force to target fascial limitations.

Another promising technique is foam rolling, which is a type of self-myofascial release. By using a foam roller to apply pressure to muscular tissues, it helps to increase flexibility and lessen muscle tightness. Although foam rolling has demonstrated advantages in enhancing short-term range of motion, nothing is known about how well it works to relieve mechanical neck discomfort.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of foam rolling and MET on MNP patients’ pain, range of motion, functional disability, and quality of life using a variety of end measures, such as disability indices and pain scales. Over the course of four weeks, both groups will also receive traditional exercise regimens.