Neck pain is a common problem affecting up to 70% of the population in their lifetime. Cervical and thoracic manipulation remains an effective Physical Therapy treatment to restore mobility and decrease pain in patients with neck pain. Recent research has shown no difference between one manipulation technique over another with both showing equal benefits for patients. More importantly, the research supports choosing the right patient for the manipulation versus the right manipulation technique. A recent study examined the impact of a Physical Therapy manipulation either matched or unmatched to a patient’s restriction of motion.
Karas and colleagues in the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy examined the impact of directional specific thoracic spine manipulation in patients with neck pain (2018). 69 patients with neck pain were randomized to either a thoracic manipulation either matched or unmatched to their direction of mobility loss. For example, patients with pain and difficulty looking toward the ceiling (cervical extension) were either manipulated to improve this direction or the opposite direction. Consistent with our previous research, the authors reported both groups pain, range of motion, and disability improved but there was no significant difference with the matched or unmatched manipulation direction.
This study highlights the importance of patient and clinician comfort during a manipulation technique versus a manipulation in the direction of movement loss.