Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Randomised Controlled Pilot Study: the Effect of Dry Cupping on Pain and Sensory Thresholds in the Treatment of Chronic Non Specific Neck Pain
Brief Summary: The study aims to investigate the influence of 5 dry cupping treatments on chronic non specific neck pain. 50 patients with neck pain are randomised into cupping treatment and waiting list control group at T0 (Day 0). At T1 (Day 7)the investigators evaluate the neck pain (VAS), the neck related disability (NDI), pain related to movement (PRTM) and the quality of life (SF36). To investigate neurophysiological effects of cupping we also measure mechanical detection threshold (MDT), vibration detection threshold (VDT) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) at pain related and control areas. The treatment group then receives 5 cupping treatments over a period of two weeks. After the cupping series resp. a waiting period for the waiting list control group (T2, Day 25) all measurements from T1 are repeated (VAS, NDI, PRTM, SF36, MDT, PPT, VDT). At last, a pain and medication diary is filled in by the patients from T0(Day 0) until T2 (Day 25). The investigators hypothesize, that cupping treatment is effective against neck pain (diary, VAS, NDI, PRTM, SF36) and that it leads to changes on perceptual level (MDT, VDT, PPT), when compared to the waiting list control group.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* Symptoms consistent with non-specific, uncomplicated neck pain of at least moderate level of pain
* Lives or works within Greater Seattle WA geographic area

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cervical Radiculopathy
* History of cancer (other than nonmelanoma skin cancer)
* Severe disk problems
* Unstable medical conditions
* Previous neck surgery
* Physically unable to get on and off of a massage table
* Has had massage within the last year
* Currently in litigation for neck pain
* Seeking other treatment for neck pain
* Potential contraindications for massage
* Unable to give informed consent
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 18 to 30 years
* Participants presented with interscapular pain
* Forward head posture with active trigger points in rhomboid muscle
* Segmental hypomobility in upper thoracic identified with positive springing test

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participants who demonstrated contraindication to manipulation
* Open wounds or Trauma to the area which occurred less than two months prior treatment
* Any neurological compromise
* Mid scapular pain due to degenerative process or osteoporosis
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* age between 18 and 75
* permanent neck pain for at least three months in a row
* a minimum of 40mm of neck pain on a 100mm visual analogue scale (VAS)
* having been in treatment to an orthopaedic or to a neurologist

Exclusion Criteria:

* neck pain caused by trauma, inflammatory or malignant disease, by congenital malformation of the spine or if pain was accompanied by radicular symptoms such as radiating pain, paresis, prickling or tingling.
* invasive treatments within the last 4 weeks, surgery to the spine within the last year, corticosteroid or opioid treatment.
* serious acute or chronic organic disease such as diabetes or cancer, mental disorders, pregnancy, and haemorrhagic tendency or anticoagulation treatment.
* non steroidal pain medication and physiotherapy were allowed if the treatment regimen was not altered for four weeks before and continued during the study.
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Neck pain since at least 3 months
* Age \> 18 years and \< 65 years
* Male or Female

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnancy
* Contraindications for manual therapy or inability to complete the treatment
* Patients who received a physiotherapy or osteopathic treatment during the last 3 months
* Medical diagnosis of rheumatologic disease
* Medical diagnosis of respiratory disease (COPD, asthma)
* Spine surgery
* Medical diagnosis of past or present cancer
* Thoracic or abdominal surgery in the last 3 years
* Whiplash injuries
* Previous cervical fracture
* Cervical anatomical changes
* Thrombotic events
* Body temperature greater than 37 degrees in the previous 48 hours
* Obesity (BMI greater than 30)

Answer: C