Active Neck Muscle Training in the Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain in Women

Abstract

ECK DISORDERS REMAIN A common problem in modern, industrialized countries. Neck pain has been the most common chief complaint among working-aged women visiting their physicians. 1,2 In a Canadian study, 3 54% of the general population had experienced neck pain during the past 6 months, and approximately 5% were highly disabled by neck pain. The prevalence of chronic neck pain has been reported to be 7% in women and 5% in men in Finland. 4 Patients with chronic neck pain used health care services twice as much as the population on average. 2 Sick leave, therapy, and specialist care form the major part of the costs incurred by neck pain, whereas investigations at the primary health care level play a minor role. 5 The origin and exact pathophysiologic mechanisms of chronic neck pain often remain obscure because trauma or severe degenerative conditions at working age are found only in Author Affiliations are listed at the end of this article.

Lower Trapezius Muscle Strength in Individuals With Unilateral Neck Pain

“…1,17,36 Methods for neck muscle strengthening have been described in the literature, 11 and, although there is no consensus on which strengthening exercises provide the best outcomes, neck strengthening exercises have been observed to have positive effects in individuals with neck pain and whiplash-associated disorders. 13,16,30,37,38 Neck strengthening exercises have been shown to be effective in alleviating pain, increasing cervical muscle strength, increasing cervical range of motion, and decreasing both short-term and longterm disability in individuals with neck pain. 13,16,30,37,38 Although neck muscle strength impairments have been found in individuals with neck pain, no studies to date have examined lower trapezius muscle strength in this population.…”

“…13,16,30,37,38 Neck strengthening exercises have been shown to be effective in alleviating pain, increasing cervical muscle strength, increasing cervical range of motion, and decreasing both short-term and longterm disability in individuals with neck pain. 13,16,30,37,38 Although neck muscle strength impairments have been found in individuals with neck pain, no studies to date have examined lower trapezius muscle strength in this population. The purpose of this study was to examine lower trapezius muscle strength in individuals with unilateral neck pain, as an initial step in determining if impairments need to be assessed and addressed in this population.…”

Electromyographic Activity of the Upper Limb Muscleduring Specific Salat’s Position and Exercise

“…There are a lot of benefits for neck exercise. For example, several randomized controlled studies have shown specific neck muscle exercises to be effective treatment in cases of chronic neck pain [6]- [9]. Beside, isometric strength and dynamic endurance training of neck muscles may relieve or even completely eliminate pain and restore function in patients with chronic neck pain [9].…”

Use of a multimodal conservative management protocol for the treatment of a patient with cervical radiculopathy

“…Starting with the ninth visit, specific strength neck exercise was prescribed. 39 The patient was informed about possible muscle soreness after starting these specific neck exercises. 40 At each visit, proper neck posture and follow-up of the exercise schedules were emphasized.…”