Mechanisms of Neural Mobilization in the Treatment of Chronic Pain

Mechanisms of Neural Mobilization in the Treatment of Chronic Pain

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a manual therapy technique (neural mobilization) on measures of clinical pain and function, experimental pain sensitivity, and on the function of the median nerve in individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome. The investigators hypothesized that individuals receiving a neural mobilization technique known to directly stress the median nerve would demonstrate greater improvements in clinical pain and function, experimental pain sensitivity, and median nerve function than those receiving a sham technique.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 to 70 years of age
• signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome for greater than 12 weeks

Exclusion Criteria:

• non english speaking
• prior surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome
• systemic condition known to affect sensation
• chronic pain condition other than carpal tunnel syndrome