Effect of diaphragmatic breathing, respiratory muscle stretch gymnastic and conventional physiotherapy on chest expansion, pulmonary function and pain in patients with mechanical neck pain

Objective: To investigate the effect of diaphragmatic breathing (DB), respiratory muscles stretch gymnastics (RMSG) and conventional physiotherapy (TENS and Moist heat pack) on chest expansion, pulmonary function and pain in patients with mechanical neck pain. Methodology:35 patients of mechanical neck pain with age group of 18-35 years, lifetime non-smoker and non- alcoholics complaining of neck pain longer than 3 months with pain score of ≥3 were recruited in this study. They received diaphragmatic breathing, respiratory muscles stretch gymnastic and conventional physiotherapy for 6 days in a week for 2 weeks. The outcome measures: pulmonary function, chest expansion, pain and disability were assessed on baseline and after 2 weeks following the intervention. Results: There was significant improvement obtained in pulmonary function parameters (FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR) and chest expansion variables at axillary, 4th intercostal space and at xiphoid level. The pain and disability scores also showed significant improvement in patients with mechanical neck pain