Ischemic Compression Technique Versus Myofascial Release of Upper Trapezius Muscle in Mechanical Neck Pain in Females of Jouf University

Background. Neck pain can have an insidious [mechanical] or traumatic onset. Mechanical neck pain is deined as pain in the cervical
spine and shoulder area with symptoms of neck position, movements or contact with cervical muscles. Aim. is to compare the effect of
ischaemic compres‑sion (IC) and myoicial release of the trapezius muscle in patients with mechanical neck pain. Mate‑rials and
methods. A two‑week randomized experimental study. Thirty female patients who had mechanical neck pain, aged from 18 to 55 years
old, were randomized into 2 equal groups. Group A received myofascial release technique plus cryotherapy for two weeks, 3 sessions per
week., while Group B received ischemic compression plus cryotherapy for two weeks, 3 sessions per week. All participants in both
groups were evaluated before and after training for Visual Analog scale (VAS), Neck disability index (NDI) and cervical range of motion
by Universal Goniometer. Re‑sults. There was a signi icant decrease in VAS and NDI post treatment in the group A and B com‑pared with
that pretreatment (p > 0.05). There was a signi icant increase in neck ROM post treat‑ment in the group B and A compared with that
pretreatment (p > 0.001). Comparison between the group A and B post treatment revealed a signi icant decrease in VAS and NDI of the
group B com‑pared with that of the group A (p > 0.05). Also, there was a signi icant increase in lexion, exten‑sion, side bending, and
rotation of the group B compared with that of the group A (p > 0.001). Con‑clusions. It was concluded that application of ischemic
compression 3 times / weeks for 2 weeks is an effective short‑term method to reduce pain, increasing cervical ROM, and functional abilities of patients with mechanical neck pain