Effectiveness Comparison of Thoracic Thrust Manipulation in People With Neck or Low Back Pain

"1. Twenty (20) minutes massage in the neck area. The volunteer will be in prone position during the massage.~2. Technical thrust manipulation in thoracic area. For this technique the volunteer will be in supine position with their arms folded on the chest (making a V). The therapist will locate one hand on the spinous processes to be treated, and the other one on the arms of the patient to make easier the manipulation.~3. Ten (10) minutes specific stretching for the neck area. These stretching exercises shall be repeated twice a week by each volunteer. Stretching will be made on the trapezius superior, musculus levator scapulae and sternocleidomastoideus holding the position thirty (30) seconds. Each muscle stretch shall be repeated three times."

"1. Twenty (20) minutes massage in the low back area. The volunteer will be in prone position during the massage.~2. Technical thrust manipulation in thoracic area. For this technique the volunteer will be in supine position with their arms folded on the chest (making a V). The therapist will locate one hand on the spinous processes to be treated, and the other one on the arms of the patient to make easier the manipulation.~3. Ten (10) minutes specific stretching for the low back area. These stretching exercises shall be repeated twice a week by each volunteer. Stretching activities will be: cat-cow pose, lower back stretches and knee twist holding the position thirty (30) seconds. Each muscle stretch shall be repeated three times."