Published Paper Details:

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of addition of respiratory exercises ,chest expansion exercises and thoracic flexibility exercises to conventional physiotherapy on pulmonary functions and neck disability index in chronic neck pain patients. Method: 30 patients with chronic neck pain were randomly divided into experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) group. Experimental group received respiratory exercises, chest expansion exercises and thoracic flexibility exercises along with the conventional physiotherapy for 5 days a week for 2 weeks, whereas the control group received only conventional physiotherapy. At the beginning and at the end of the treatment pain intensity ,chest expansion ,craniovertebral angle, neck disability index and respiratory functions were assessed . Results: There were significant improvement in the PEF (peak expiratory flow),FEV1(forced expiratory volume in 1 second),VAS( visual analog scale),NDI(neck disability index ) in the experimental group . Conclusion: The addition of breathing exercises, chest expansion exercises, thoracic flexibility exercises to conventional physiotherapy are effective intervention for improving pulmonary functions and reduces the pain and disability level in patients with chronic neck pain.