Effect of Instrument-assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Versus Myofascial Release in Treatment of Mechanical Neck Pain

For IASTM, the subject will be seated in a comfortable position. The subject's forehead will be rested on his/her forearm on a table in front of him/her. A lubricant (Vaseline) will be applied to the skin around the neck area prior to treatment and the M2T blade will be cleaned with an alcohol pad. The M2T blade will be used, at an angle of 45 without causing discomfort or pain, from the muscle origin to its insertion (sweeping technique), for approximately 3 min. Subjects will be instructed to put an ice pack on the area if they feel any burning sensations after the session. This procedure will be repeated twice a week for four weeks.

Firstly, the subject will lay supine with no pillow under his/ her head then the subject will rotate his/her head and neck away from the side which will be treated. Therapist will sit or stand at the corner, edge or top of the treatment table and therapist will place one hand proximal to the shoulder with skin on skin and therapist's fingers pointing towards the subject's elbow on the same side. Other hand of the therapist will be placed inferior to the subject's jaw (body of the mandible), using it as a handle, with fingers pointing towards the top of the subject's head. Then therapist will lean into the subject to the tissue depth barrier, wait and follow each subtle release three-dimensionally. Therapist should avoid forcing the tissue or slipping or gliding over the skin. The technique should be applied for at least five minutes for optimal results. This procedure will be repeated twice a week for four weeks.

Postural correction exercises will be applied for patients in groups A and B. This program will be conducted according to the protocols of exercise will be performed as 3 sets of 10 repetitions each for 2 times/ week for 4 weeks. The patients will be instructed to continue the exercises as a daily home program to influence the self-correction kinesthetic awareness. Exercises will be performed while the patients in a neutral sitting posture