Scapulo-Thoracic Mobilization Compared to IASTM in Patients With Mechanical Neck Pain

Scapulo-Thoracic Mobilization Compared to IASTM in Patients With Mechanical Neck Pain

SCAPULO-THORACIC MOBILIZATION COMPARED TO IASTM IN PATIENTS WITH MECHANICAL NECK PAIN

Mechanical neck pain is common musculoskeletal condition that causes work disabilities and is not self-limiting. One of the main causes for mechanical neck pain is forward head posture, which is common and but not ideal posture adopted by many workers and students who presents with head being anterior to the shoulder. Imbalances in the normal muscle function reported in such patients with inhibited deep neck flexors, serratus anterior and rhomboids and tightened pectoralis, upper trapezius and levator scapula.

Neck and scapula have some common muscle attachments and abnormal loads on cervical or thoracic spine change the biomechanics of muscles present in these regions, which eventually cause trigger points Management of scapulo-thoracic joint focuses on correcting posture, restoring flexibility of the scapula including the pectoralis minor, levator scapulae, rhomboids, mobilization and soft tissue techniques.

IASTM is ergonomically designed stainless steel tool, and has recently gained much popularity for elevating pain, reducing trigger points and improving ROMs because it has deeply penetrating power as compared to mobilization through hand. This technique works by both along the mobilizing muscle fibers or parallel to the muscle fibers.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age group 18 to 40 years
• Both gender groups
• Non radiating neck pain

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of cervical and thoracic spine surgery
• Vertibro-basilar insufficiency
• Sign of serious pathology like malignancy
• Signs of systemic inflammatory disorder
• Patient with diagnosed hypertension
• (scapular area pathology)