The effect of massage technique plus thoracic manipulation thoracic manipulation on pain and neural tension in mechanical neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.

[Purpose] To determine the short-term effects of thoracic manipulation, used alone or in conjunction with the Rungthip massage technique, on pain and neural extensibility in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain. [Participants and Methods] Thirty participants were randomly allocated to the aforementioned two groups. Outcome measures were neck pain at rest assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, and elbow extension range of motion evaluated using Upper Limb Neurodynamic Test 1 prior to treatment and three weeks after it.