Introduction
upper extremity pain, low back pain, Myofascial, pain, muscular tightness, infection, chronic mechanical neck pain, movement coordination deficits, headache, neck pain, disability, mobility deficits
INFECTION, DISORDERS, CORONAVIRUS
Neck pain is one of the most frequently encountered disorders in clinical settings [Patients with chronic mechanical neck pain (CMNP) are present with a wide range of symptoms ranging from mild pain and minimal functional limitation to complete disability [Among the identified risk factors for the development of CMNP are a long history of neck pain, worrisome attitude, poor quality of life, and less vitality. The same clinical practice guidelines and its updated revision identified female gender and prior history of neck pain as predisposing factors for the development of a new onset of neck pain. In addition, there is low to moderate evidence that high job demands, history of smoking, low social/work support, and history of low back pain are risk factors for the development of neck pain in general [The international classification of functioning, disability, and health (ICF) endorses functional terminologies in describing health conditions. Therefore, the clinical practice guidelines linked to the ICF classify patients with neck pain into four categories: neck pain with mobility deficits, neck pain with headache, neck pain with movement coordination deficits, and neck pain with radiated upper extremity pain. Each category is presented with clinical findings specific to that category2,3.There is strong evidence that young individual patients with a duration of symptoms less than 12 weeks can be diagnosed with neck pain and mobility deficits when they are presented with symptoms isolated to the neck and have a limited cervical range of motion (ROM) [College students can be a risk population for developing CMNP because of the long hours spent studying in front of computer screens [Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) has gained wide attention as a relatively new technique in the treatment of muscular tightness and pain. Originally described by Cyriax in 1982, this technique can be performed using different tools. The IASTM uses the same concept by applying an adapted pressure on the tight structures using different-shaped stainless-steel tools with beveled edges to conform to different anatomical structures. Although there is some empirical evidence for its use [Myofascial treatment is an emerging treatment in different musculoskeletal conditions although its clinical benefits is still not clearly understood [Since there is a research gap in understanding the effect of IASTM and myofascial MRT in college students with CMNP, the authors of this study were interested in building up evidence for their use. During Coronavirus time, college students were ordered to stay at home to stop spreading infection and as a mitigation strategy. Thus, they had to use the computer for long hours. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effect of the IASTM technique and MRT on college students studying using distance learning and having CMNP. Researchers hypothesized that there will be no statistically significant difference between the effect of IASTM and MRT on improving pain, function, and/or improving pressure pain threshold.