Effects of Myofascial Release versus Strain Counterstrain on Mechanical Neck Pain and Range of Motion

Background: Neck pain is an issue that most people can be affected by and it should be treated once in life, although the majority will not find it to interfere with their activities. The researchers found that neck pain of unspecified duration occurred in at least 80% of the population. Objective: To find the effects of myofascial release on neck pain and range of motion and compare it with strain counterstrain therapy. Methodology: This quasi-experimental trial was conducted at the outpatient department of physical therapy, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, and Riphah University, Faisalabad, over six months from July to December 2023. About 50 patients were assessed for eligibility, out of which 44 met the inclusion criteria and were randomly allocated into two equal groups using a lottery method. Participants were males and females aged 30 to 50 years diagnosed with mechanical neck pain localized between the superior nuchal line and the first thoracic spinous process. Patients with recent cervical spine surgery, neurological disorders, active infections, or fibromyalgia syndrome were excluded. Group A received myofascial release therapy while Group B was provided with strain counterstrain treatment. Outcome measures included the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index, and active cervical range of motion using an inclinometer. Normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Independent sample t-tests were applied for between-group comparisons of NPRS and NDI scores in MFR and SCS groups and repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze within-group differences. Results: Both myofascial release and strain counterstrain techniques are beneficial for patients with mechanical neck pain. However myofascial release shows more significant results than the strain counterstrain. Pain score shows a significant reduction within both groups across the three-week intervention period (p<0.05), with the myofascial release group improving from a mean of 7.68 to 2.5 and strain counterstrain group from 7.68 to 2.22. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups across most outcome measures, suggesting that both treatments are comparably effective. Conclusion: It concluded that myofascial release and strain counterstrain were proven effective in decreasing pain and improving range of motion in patients with mechanical neck pain.