Effect of Temporomandibular Joint Mobilization on Neck Pain and Function in Patients with Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain

Background. Neck pain is a common problem, and it includes 30% of 25–29 year olds. The percentage of people over 45 years of age has risen to 50% (Knight and Draper, 2012). Long-term muscle imbalance disrupts body biomechanics. Due to long-lasting pain, the quality of work may decrease, rest can get worse, and mood may change. Purpose. To determine the effect of temporomandibular joint mobilization for neck pain and function in patients who suffer chronic non-specifc neck pain. Methods. The study involved six people with non-specifc chronic neck pain, who were divided into two groups: exercises, and the second group – exercises and mobilization of temporomandibular joint. At the beginning and end of the study, we performed the following tests: deep neck flexor endurance test, visual analogue scale (VAS), goniometry, the amplitude of the temporomandibular joint. Results. In the group of exercises, the pain score after treatment decreased (before – 67 ± 28, after – 14 ± 16.5) the strength and endurance of the deep neck flexor muscle improved (before – 13.7 ± 2.5 s, after – 28.7 ± 6.4 s). The amplitude of all neck movements was improved (p < 0.05), comparing them before and after physiotherapy. The amplitude of the temporomandibular joint improved the movement characteristics: depression, lateral excursions to left and right, protrusion (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Comparing the results after applying different methods of physiotherapy, intensity of pain and neck function parameters did not show significant differences.Keywords: temporomandibular joint, nonspecifc neck pain, mobilization.