Comparison of the Immediate Effects of Manual Therapy Techniques in Non-Specific Neck Pain

Participants in the first group received atlanto-occipital manipulation. The patient was positioned in a supine position, with the head rotated to one side. The therapist placed the middle and ring fingers of one hand on the patient's mastoid process, while the palm of the other hand made contact with the patient's jawline and cheek. A gentle traction force was applied to the cranial region using both hands. When the therapist sensed joint tension, a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust was delivered in the direction of the traction with a slight rotational force. The procedure was performed bilaterally and lasted approximately 5 minutes.

Participants in the second group underwent Grade II-III cervical mobilization techniques, administered over a period of 10 minutes. The patient was positioned in a supine position, and the physiotherapist performed 10 minutes of Grade II-III mobilizations with an upward and downward incline (postero-anterior and antero-posterior mobilizations following the movement plane of the cervical zygapophyseal joints).

Participants in the third group received trigger point therapy, which included ischemic compression followed by myofascial stretching on the upper trapezius muscle. The patient was positioned in a supine position, and the physiotherapist performed 10 minutes of Grade II-III mobilizations with an upward and downward incline (postero-anterior and antero-posterior mobilizations following the movement plane of the cervical zygapophyseal joints).