Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
This unblinded, controlled pilot study was conducted in order to compare the effectiveness
of chiropractic manipulative therapy with that of a combined therapy involving chiropractic
manipulative therapy and myofascial trigger point therapy (dry needling technique and
passive stretching), in the treatment of chronic mechanical posterior cervical spine pain.
In executing the comparison, it was hypothesised that both treatment protocols would be
effective, but that the combined therapy would be the most effective for the treatment of
chronic mechanical posterior cervical spine pain, as this treatment protocol has equal
emphasis on both the osseous and soft tissue structures. It was hoped that this combined
therapy would be more effective in terms of a more speedy recovery and long term effect.
This would not only benefit the patient from the point of view of health and quality of life,
but financially as well, as less consultation fees would have to be paid.
Patients wererecruited into the study by the use of advertisements in newspapers and
posters, or from patients entering the Technikon Witwatersrand Chiropractic Day Clinic
complaining of posterior cervical spine pain. Only those thirty patients who conformed to
the specified delimitations and diagnostic criteria were accepted. These patients were
randomly placed into two groups of fifteen patients each. One group received chiropractic
manipulative therapy and the other group received the combined therapy. Each patient
received twelve treatments over a one month period, ie. three treatments per week. After
the treatment period there was a month break from treatment and a follow-up consultation
at the end ofthis month. This follow-up period was used to determine the lasting effects of
the treatment protocol.
The subjective data was collected with the use of two questionnaires, the Neck Pain and
Disability Index (Vemon Mior) and the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Further subjective data
was collected, in the form of the number of fixations found in the cervical spine by the use
of motion palpation and active myofascial trigger points found in the specified areas of the
Trapezius and Levator Scapulae muscles. The objective data was obtained from the...