Short-term effects of chiropractic application and dry needling treatment on chronic mechanical neck pain

Abstract

The current study was designed to compare the short-term effects of chiropractic applications (diversified technique) and dry needling on chronic mechanical neck pain. Participants comprised 40 patients aged 20–60 years who presented to the Anadolu Health Center Medicine and Rehabilitation Polyclinic with neck pain between 2017 and 2018. Neck pain duration was at least 3 months and scored at least 5 points on the Neck Disability Index. Age, gender, body weight, height, and body mass index were initially recorded. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain in the neck and head region during relaxation, activity, and at night. Data on joint range of motion were collected using the Joint Range of Motion Measurement Form prepared by the researchers. Cervical flexion–extension, right–left lateral flexion, and right–left rotation movements were evaluated with an inclinometer. The Copenhagen Neck Functional Disability Scale was used to assess disability caused by neck pain. After the initial measurements, the participants were randomly divided into two groups: group 1: chiropractic application; group 2: dry needling treatment. Both treatments were effective in reducing neck pain and neck disability levels and for increasing the joint range of motion (group 1: p < 0.01; group 2: p < 0.001). Dry needling was significantly more successful in reducing night pain (p < 0.05) and allowing patients to more comfortably turn their heads to the left (p < 0.05); chiropractic application was significantly more successful for allowing patients to tilt their head backwards (p < 0.05). Dry needling and chiropractic treatments were found to be effective in terms of pain relief, increasing the joint range of motion, and decreasing the degree of neck disability in patients with chronic mechanical pain (p < 0.01).