Ischemic Compression versus Traditional Physical Therapy in Treatment of Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain.

Introduction: Neck pain is a common complaint that may contribute to substantial medical consumption and disability. Methods: 40 patients with chronic mechanical neck pain (CMNP) were randomly assigned into group-A received ischemic compression treatment (ICT) plus traditional physical therapy treatment (TPTT)(including infrared, ultrasound, plus trapezius muscle stretching) or group-B received TPTT only. Both treatment regimens were applied trice weekly for 2 weeks. Results: Pain (evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), neck pain & disability scale (NPADS)), and cervical range of motions (CROMs) were evaluated before and after the study. At the end of the study; VAS and percentage of improvement (%) for the groups-A and B were 2.10±0.8 (71.91%) and 6.25±1.13 (14.94%) respectively. NPADS and (%) for the groups-A and B were 1.36 ± 9.23, (16.81%), 160 ± 8.2, (2.19%) respectively. Cervical flextion and (%) for the groups-A and B were 42.85±3.2 (144.51%) and 29.25± 4.36 (71.10%) respectively. Cervical extension and (%) for the groups-A and B were 53.85±4.23 (116.64%) 36.8±4.175 (42.01%) respectively. Cervical right rotation and (%) for the groups-A and B were 74.45±4.69 (98.05%) and 45.7±4.94 (30.11%) respectively. Cervical left rotation and (%) for the groups-A and B were 74.45±4.69 (95.24%) and 52.7±7.21 (25.21%) respectively. Right lateral flextion and (%) for the groups-A and B were 42.15±2.66 (162.74%) and 29.3±4.44 (78.09%) respectively. Left lateral flextion and (%) for the groups-A and B were 42.15±2.66 (162.74%) and 29.3±4.12 (79.61%) respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion ICT is effective and is better than TPTT in improving pain sensation, disability, and CFROMs in patients with CMNP.