Can a simple stretching technique outshine a Tool-Based massage for stubborn neck pain?
NCT ID NCT07720544
First seen Jul 22, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests two non-drug treatments for trapezius myalgia—a condition causing pain and tightness in the upper back and neck muscles. One group receives instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), a technique using tools to massage and break up muscle knots. The other group performs post-isometric relaxation (PIR), a gentle stretching method. Researchers are measuring whether either approach better reduces pain, improves neck movement, and helps with daily activities in adults aged 25 to 35.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and post-isometric relaxation (PIR) techniques
- What this could lead to
- If one technique proves superior, it could offer a more effective, drug-free option for managing chronic neck pain and stiffness.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 48 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Both techniques are manual therapies and may not work for all individuals.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Arif memorial teaching hospital
Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan