Efficacy of Osteopathic Visceral Treatment in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain

Efficacy of Osteopathic Visceral Treatment on the Diaphragm, Stomach and Liver in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain

This study aims to analyze the effects of visceral osteopathic treatment of the diaphragm, stomach and liver in the treatment of chronic neck pain.

Cervical pain is a very common condition, whom can originate from bad posture, cervical tension, anxiety, depression and occupational or sportive activities. The influence of mobility and function changes of the abdominal viscera in the cervical region is a mechanism that is still poorly described in literature.

It is expected to find, through mechanical and neural pathways, that the visceral osteopathy treatment will have some effect on chronic neck pain.

This study intends to check the effects of the diaphragm stretching, inferior mobilization of the stomach and liver pump techniques (restoring mobility and normalizing function of the viscera) on the neck region, by employing some questionnaires/instruments.

During the present study, the effects of the visceral techniques will be analyzed in the following variables: Neck Disability Index (NDI), Numeric Pain Scale (NPS or END) and Global Pain Scale (GPS or EPGM).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pain in the posterior cervical region for more than 3 months;
• Knowing how to read and write;

Exclusion Criteria:

• Recent Cervicothoracic or Thoracoabdominal trauma (less than 6 months);
• Surgical procedure in the cervical region less than 6 months ago
• Surgical procedure in the abdominal region less than 6 months ago;
• Diagnosis of disc disease/radiculopathy;
• Rheumatic and/or neurological disease;
• Pregnancy status