Non-specific Chronic Neck Pain

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the effects of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and dry cupping in patients (both genders), aged 20-50 years, diagnosed with chronic non-specific neck pain who have active upper trapezius trigger points. The main questions it aims to answer are : 1. Is there a significant difference in the effect on pain level (measured by VAS) between the groups? 2. Is there a significant difference in the effect on cervical range of motion (CROM), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and functional disability (NDI) between the groups? Researchers will compare three groups: 1. Group A (Control):\] Will receive a conventional physical therapy program (hot packs, TENS, and exercises). 2. Group B (Experimental):\] Will receive conventional therapy plus IASTM. 3. Group C (Experimental):\] Will receive conventional therapy plus Dry Cupping. Participants will be asked to do the following: 1. Undergo baseline assessments (measuring pain, ROM, PPT, and disability) before treatment and final assessments after 4 weeks. 2. Attend \[3 treatment sessions per week for four weeks\]. 3. At each session, all participants will receive the conventional physical therapy program , while Groups B and C will receive their additional intervention (IASTM or dry cupping).

The goal of this observational study is to determine whether relaxation exercises performed before cranio-cervical flexion can reduce superficial neck muscle activation (specifically sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius) in individuals with neck pain. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does performing relaxation exercises prior to cranio-cervical flexion reduce sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle activation? * Does it reduce upper trapezius muscle activation during the standing? Researchers will compare the group performing relaxation exercises before cranio-cervical flexion to the group performing only cranio-cervical flexion to see if there is a measurable difference in superficial neck muscle activation. Participants will: * Perform cranio-cervical flexion exercises. * Perform relaxation exercises prior to the cranio-cervical flexion (intervention group only). * Undergo surface EMG measurements to assess muscle activity.

Chronic nonspecific neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder recognized for its high rates of disability and economic losses, ranking second in musculoskeletal conditions after low back pain. There are several effective physical therapy interventions to treat chronic nonspecific neck pain, such as laser therapy. High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) is a recent treatment proposed to reduce musculoskeletal pain; however, there are few studies that prove its effects in reducing neck pain. The aim of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of high-intensity laser therapy on pain intensity in patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain. The research will be carried out in the laboratory of physical agents at the Andrés Bello University, Campus Casona de las Condes. Participants will be employers and volunteer students with non-specific chronic neck pain. Participants will be randomized and allocated into 2 study groups: group 1 (HILT and stretching exercises) and group 2 (simulated HILT and stretching exercises). Treatments will be performed twice a week for 4 weeks with 3 assessments: before treatment, at the end of treatment, and 12 weeks after treatment (follow-up). The main results will be the differences in pain pressure threshold (ΔPPT), intensity of pain at rest (ΔRPI) and intensity of pain on movement (ΔMPI). Secondary outcome measures, on the other hand, will include differences in cervical spine range (ΔCROM) and cervical disability (ΔND).

This study aims to compare between the effectiveness of Acupuncture-Like Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (Acupuncture-like TENS) and dry needling on pain intensity, Pressure pain threshold (PPT) of upper trapezius myofascial trigger points, neck range of motion, and neck function in patients with non specific chronic neck pain.