The Effect of Biofreeze on Post Manipulation Soreness in Patients With Mechanical Neck Pain
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2013-05-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Background: Neck pain effects a significant number of individuals and is commonly treated
with chiropractic cervical manipulation. The temporary increases in neck pain following
cervical manipulation may contribute to a lack of compliance with prescribed therapy that
following this therapy which in turn commonly contributes to protracted symptoms. Topical
menthol has previously been shown to decrease pain shortly following application. The purpose
of this study was to determine if patients with mechanical neck pain who received topical
menthol gel applied to their neck prior to cervical manipulation would have less pain and
increased neck range of motion following cervical manipulation than patients who did not
receive menthol.
Methods: Patients, mean ages 35 years old, with non-radicular mechanical neck pain were
randomly assigned to a control (n=31) or a treatment (n=29) group. Five minutes before
cervical manipulation, controls received a placebo gel applied to their neck while the
treatment group received a menthol containing gel (Biofreeze®) applied to their neck.
Participants rated their neck pain on a 10-point scale prior to gel application (Pre) and at
one minute (T1), 10 minutes (T2), 20 minutes (T3), and 30 minutes (T4) post cervical
manipulation. Six measures of neck range of motion were assessed prior to topical
applications of gel and at T1 and T4. ANCOVA repeated measures were performed to compare pain
ratings and neck range of motion following manipulation while controlling for Pre measures.