Ischemic Compression and Home Exercise in Non-Specific Neck Pain

A total of 52 individuals, aged 18‐65, with non‐specific neck pain for at least 3 months,will be included in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to either thetreatment group (n=26) or the control group (n=26). Both groups will be prescribed a homeexercise program. The treatment group will additionally receive ischemic compressionsessions twice a week for 4 weeks.Ischemic compression will be applied by the therapist using the thumb or a suitablecontact surface, exerting controlled and gradually increasing pressure directly on thetrigger point. The pressure will be maintained at the participant's pain tolerance limit(uncomfortable but bearable) and will last approximately 90 seconds for each triggerpoint. Participant feedback will be continuously monitored; pressure will be reduced orterminated in case of excessive pain or discomfort.Evaluations will include the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain, the NeckDisability Index (NDI) for neck disability level, the SF‐12 for quality of life, andgoniometric measurements for cervical range of motion. Data will be analyzed using SPSSsoftware.