Comparison of short-term effects of chiropractic cervical manipulation and kinesio taping treatments for patients diagnosed with mechanical neck pain

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to analyze effects of spinal manipulation, exercise and kinesio taping treatments on mechanical neck pain. METHODS: Fifty-eight volunteers between 18 and 60 years old participated in this study. All three groups performed a home-based exercise program 3 times every day and with 10 repetitions. It was planned that the patients would wear the kinesio tape for three days. RESULTS: In all groups showing homogeneous distribution, a significant difference between pre- and post-treatment pain and normal joint mobility was only detected in the manipulation group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the other groups in terms of pre- and post-treatment SF-36 survey, NRS, goniometric measurements and Neck Disability Index (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that manual cervical manipulation reduces pain and increases normal joint mobility in the short term for patients with mechanical neck pain.