Therapeutic massage increases patients' neck range of motion, according to new research.
"Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal ailments," noted the abstract published on www.pubmed.gov. "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."
The study involved 60 patients aged 37-82 years treated for neck pain, according to the abstract. The patients were divided into two groups: one (30 persons) received kinesiotherapy and physiotherapy, and the other group (30 persons) additionally received therapeutic massage.
Both groups experienced significant pain reductionand improved performance and function after rehabilitation, the abstract noted. Additionally, "Patients who had received massage demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the range of flexion, lateral bend to the right and lateral bend to the left.
"Evaluation of the effectiveness of therapeutic massage in patients with neck pain" was conducted by investigators in the Rehabilitation Department of the University of Management and Administration in Zamo??, Poland. Results were published in Ortop Traumatol Rehabil.
