Effect of a specialized neck muscle relaxation technique compared with standard physiotherapy on pain, neck movement control, and body position sense in adults with upper neck dysfunction

INTERVENTION: Intervention1: RCPm inhibition with conventional exercises: Participants will receive Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor inhibition techniques along with conventional cervical stabilization stretching and motor control exercises twice weekly for 4 weeks total 8 sessions Control Intervention1: Standard physiotherapy: Participants will receive standard physiotherapy including cervical mobility exercises stretching strengthening posture correction and home exercise program twice weekly for 4 weeks total 8 sessions CONDITION: Health Condition 1: M542‐ Cervicalgia PRIMARY OUTCOME: Change in proprioception pain and motor control measured using Joint Position Error Visual Analog Scale and Cervical Flexion Rotation Test following interventionTimepoint: Pain will be assessed using Visual Analog Scale at baseline, 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. ; Cervical proprioception will be assessed using Joint Position Error at baseline, 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. ; Motor control will be assessed using cervical motor control assessment / EMG activity at baseline, 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Change in cervical range of motion EMG activity and Headache Impact Test 6 score after interventionTimepoint: Baseline post intervention at 4 weeks follow up at 6 weeks and 12 weeks INCLUSION CRITERIA: Adults aged 20 to 55 years with clinically diagnosed upper cervical dysfunction involving C1 and C2 vertebrae chronic neck pain or cervicogenic headache for more than 3 months willing to participate and provide written informed consent