Introduction: The most frequent type of spine abnormality throughout adolescence was adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Hippotherapy improved posture, balance and gait of different musculoskeletal conditions. Therefore, this study aims to see how hippotherapy combined with Schroth exercises affected postural asymmetry and dynamic balance in AIS compared to traditional physiotherapy (Schroth exercises) alone. Materials and methods: In this randomized controlled trial, fifty-two patients with AIS (10–18 years, 37 girls and 15 boys) participated. They were arbitrarily allocated into two groups: experimental (19 female/8 male; aged 14.74 ± 1.79 years; Cobb angle 18.59 ± 2.66 degrees) and control (18 female/7 male; aged 15.04 ± 1.81 years; Cobb angle 19.32 ± 2.69 degrees) groups. Both groups received Schroth exercises for 10 weeks, three days/week. The experimental group additionally received hippotherapy training. Pre-treatment and post-treatment assessment for the scoliotic, kyphotic angle, pelvic obliquity, pelvic torsion and vertical spinal rotation and the anteroposterior, mediolateral and overall stability indices were assessed using the formetric system 4D and Biodex Balance System, respectively. Results: After intervention, both groups illustrated significant improvements in all examined variables (p < 0.05). The experimental group illustrated significant improvements in scoliotic angle, kyphotic angle, pelvic obliquity, pelvic torsion and vertical spinal rotation and the stability indices compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In adolescence idiopathic scoliosis, hippotherapy training combined with Schroth exercises improves posture asymmetry and balancing ability more effectively than Schroth exercises alone.

Background and Objectives: Following an injury, upper-body strength and proprioception training is typically suggested. To our understanding, no prior research has looked into the impact of balance training on upper-body strength and stability. So, this study investigated the effects of Biodex balance training on enhancing the dynamic stability, strength, and function of the upper quarter (UQ) in recreational weightlifters. Materials and Methods: Fifty male weightlifters were randomly assigned into two groups. The experimental group received an upper-extremity Biodex balance training program three times/week for eight weeks, while the control group underwent a regular weightlifting training routine. Pre- and post-test scores of the upper-quarter dynamic stability, strength, and function were measured for both groups using the shoulder active repositioning accuracy test, two-minute push-up test, and the upper-quarter Y-balance test (UQ-YBT) and one-arm hop test, respectively. Results: Post-test values were significantly greater for the normalized UQ-YBT test than pre-test values in both groups (p < 0.05). Post-test values of the experimental group were significantly greater than the control group (p < 0.05). Regarding the shoulder active repositioning accuracy test and the time of the one-arm hop test, post-test values were significantly lower than pre-test values for both groups (p < 0.05), and post-test values of the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). The post-test value of the two-minute push-up test of each group was significantly higher than the pre-test value (p < 0.05), without any significant difference between both groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Adding upper-body Biodex balance training to a regular weightlifting training routine was effective in enhancing the upper quarter′s dynamic stability and function.

Upper thoracic spine mobilization and the Ergon technique are used to treat mechanical neck pain in order to speed recovery, promote tissue healing and improve range of motion. There have been a few studies discussing the Ergon IASTM and upper thoracic spine mobilization in patients with neck pain, but none compared the aforementioned techniques in the treatment of mechanical neck pain. This clinical trial was conducted on a sample of thirty participants (16 females and 14 males) with mechanical neck pain who were randomly divided into two groups: Upper Thoracic Spine Mobilization (n=15) and Ergon Technique (n=15). Twelve sessions were delivered to all participants over a four-week period, three days per week. Before and after treatment, pain severity was measured by Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), cervical spine's active range of motion was measured by using a Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device, and cervical spine's disability index was measured by Neck Disability Index (NDI). The statistical analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Both groups showed improvement in neck pain, reduced functional disability and increased cervical range of motion after treatment. The upper thoracic spine mobilization group had significantly better results in terms of cervical left lateral flexion and left rotation ranges of motion, while the Ergon Technique group had significantly better results in terms of improvement of neck pain and reduction in functional disability. In conclusion, the upper thoracic spine mobilization was effective at increasing the range of motion of the cervical region, while the Ergon technique was effective at relieving pain and dysfunction in the cervical spine in patients with mechanical neck pain. Upper thoracic spine mobilization and the Ergon technique are used to treat mechanical neck pain in order to speed recovery, promote tissue healing and improve range of motion. There have been a few studies discussing the Ergon IASTM and upper thoracic spine mobilization in patients with neck pain, but none compared the aforementioned techniques in the treatment of mechanical neck pain. This clinical trial was conducted on a sample of thirty participants (16 females and 14 males) with mechanical neck pain who were randomly divided into two groups: Upper Thoracic Spine Mobilization (n=15) and Ergon Technique (n=15). Twelve sessions were delivered to all participants over a four-week period, three days per week. Before and after treatment, pain severity was measured by Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), cervical spine's active range of motion was measured by using a Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device, and cervical spine's disability index was measured by Neck Disability Index (NDI). The statistical analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Both groups showed improvement in neck pain, reduced functional disability and increased cervical range of motion after treatment. The upper thoracic spine mobilization group had significantly better results in terms of cervical left lateral flexion and left rotation ranges of motion, while the Ergon Technique group had significantly better results in terms of improvement of neck pain and reduction in functional disability. In conclusion, the upper thoracic spine mobilization was effective at increasing the range of motion of the cervical region, while the Ergon technique was effective at relieving pain and dysfunction in the cervical spine in patients with mechanical neck pain.