EFFECT OF STRAIN COUNTER STRAIN TECHNIQUE AND STRETCHING IN TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH UPPER TRAPEZIUS TENDERNESS IN NECK PAIN

Abstract

Background: Neck pain is a common disorder with a reported six-month prevalence rate of 54%. Strain/counter-strain technique and stretching are passive positional intervention aimed at relieving musculoskeletal pain and related dysfunction. The study aimed to find the effect of strain counter strain technique and to stretch on tenderness over upper trapezium of neck and neck function.

Methods: This is an experimental study with comparative pre-post study design. The subjects for the study selected from KPJ University College, Nilai, Malaysia. The study conducted in the Physiotherapy department of the University College. Total 70 with 53 female and 17 male patients were selected for this study as per sample size calculation. Thirty- five (35) samples were allocated to each group. Purposive sampling method adapted to select the samples. The study samples selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria included exhibits with a tender point over upper trapezius. Dependant ‘t’ test was used to find the outcome of the study.

Results: Paired t-test on the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) among stretching group found significant (P< .0001) improvement in the outcome with a mean difference of 3.23 and 12.2 respectively. A paired t-test on VAS and NDI among strain counter strain group found significant (P<.0001) improvement in the outcome with a mean difference of 3.829 and 22.686 respectively.

Conclusion: This study concluded that both stretching and strain counter strain technique could reduce pain in the upper trapezius of the neck and improve neck function among the patients.