Evaluation of the effectiveness of therapeutic massage in patients with neck pain.

BACKGROUND Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal ailments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of therapeutic massage on the range of motion in patients with neck pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved 60 patients aged 37-82 years (mean age: 62.8 ± 9.86 years) treated for neck pain at the Rehabilitation Department of Zamość University of Management and Administration. The patients were divided into two groups: one (30 persons) received kinesiotherapy and physiotherapy, and the other group (30 persons) additionally received therapeutic massage. The effectiveness of rehabilitation was assessed with a Saunders digital inclinometer, the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). RESULTS Both groups did not differ significantly in terms of NDI and VAS scores at baseline (NDI: p = 0.56, VAS: P = 0.231) and after rehabilitation (NDI: p = 0.203; VAS: P = 0.401). The NDI questionnaire and VAS revealed a significant pain reduction (p <0.001), and improved performance and function (p <0.001) after rehabilitation in both groups. Patients who had received massage demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the range of flexion (p = 0.022), lateral bend to the right (p = 0.018), and lateral bend to the left (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS 1. Therapeutic massage increases ranges of motion. 2. The effectiveness of therapeutic massage is comparable to the effectiveness of rehabilitation based only on physical therapy and kinesiotherapy.