Effects of manual therapy protocol in chronic neck pain, with a special reference to a high velocity low amplitude manipulation techniques

Abstract

Neck pain is defined as pain experienced from the base of the skull (the occipital) to the upper part of the back and extending laterally to the outer and superior bounds of the shoulder blade (scapula). This pathology is one of the most prevalent complaints in the general population and is a major cause of disability. In the general population, the prevalence has been reported to be greater than 70% and it’s higher among young female adults. In the general working population, higher levels of neck-shoulder pain intensity have been found to gradually increase the odds of using pain medication for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. While these medications may offer immediate pain relief, long-term use of pain medication has been reported to often be associated with adverse effects. Thus, alternatives to medication for immediate and short term pain relief should be investigated, e.g. HVLA manipulation techniques. The current Ph.D. dissertation revolves around the effects of a multi-segmental manual therapy protocol in chronic cervical pain, with special reference to the high-velocity, low-amplitude techniques.