Comparison of spray and stretch technique and Muscle Energy Technique on pain and flexibility in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain

The thesis focuses on chronic non-specific neck pain associated with upper trapezius tightness, a common musculoskeletal problem that can reduce cervical mobility, increase pain, and interfere with daily function. It explains that poor posture, long hours of computer or mobile use, myofascial trigger points, and altered neuromuscular control can all contribute to this condition. The study was designed because there is still limited direct comparative evidence on which manual therapy approach works better for this problem: spray and stretch technique or muscle energy technique. The research was a randomized controlled trial with two groups and a pre-test/post-test design, conducted on adults aged 18–45 years with chronic non-specific neck pain. The main outcomes were pain, cervical range of motion, and functional disability, measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, a universal goniometer, and the Neck Disability Index. The intervention compared spray and stretch with muscle energy technique, both given alongside conventional therapy. Overall, your thesis shows that both techniques were effective in improving pain, range of motion, and function, but muscle energy technique produced better improvement in functional disability and some cervical movements, especially extension. Spray and stretch was also beneficial, particularly for pain relief and stretch tolerance in the upper trapezius. So, the study suggests that both are useful physiotherapy options, but muscle energy technique appears to have the stronger overall effect for chronic non-specific neck pain with upper trapezius tightness.