Effects of Upper Thoracic Mulligan Mobilization for Pain, Range of Motion and Function in Patients With Mechanical Neck Pain

When we look at the studies investigating the effectiveness of different treatment modalities in non-specific neck pain (NSNP), there is no method accepted as the gold standard for the treatment of NSNP. One of the preferred treatment options for NSNP is physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation includes electrotherapy modalities, therapeutic exercises, joint mobilisation and manipulations, myofascial release. Among these treatments, manual therapy, which targets the harmony of structure and function, is one of the most preferred treatment methods by physiotherapists. Manual therapy provides improvement by orienting the body's biomechanics, circulation and body structure by directly affecting the joints, muscles and soft tissues. In the literature, there are studies on both cervical mobilisation and thoracic mobilisation for neck pain. Cervical mobilisation and manipulation in neck pain are controversial because they carry certain risks. It has been reported that mobilisation of the thoracic spine decreases pain in the cervical region and increases mobilisation in this region. When the literature was examined, there was no study examining the effect of the Mulligan concept natural apophyseal reversal technique applied to the thoracic region on NSNP. This study was planned to investigate the effect of natural apophyseal reversal on pain and mobility limitation in individuals diagnosed with NSNP.