• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.188-198
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• 2000

Objectives : We perform this study for help to recovery of cervical syndrome by analyzing structural deviation and cervical curvature in upper cervical vertebrae and definiting functional change through cervical body heat change in cevical lesion which is estimated by DITI. Methods : From sep. 1st. 1998 to aug, 31th. 1999, I make an experiment with the 102 OPD patients of this hospital vertebral-joint center, which were judged as a cervical syndrome and confirmed in upper cervical deviation by motion palpation and then were taken cervical simple X-ray and cervical thermograpy. Results : In the classfication of upper cervical deviation, AS deviation took 98% and abnormal cervical curvature took 68%. in the Chief complain neck-shoulder pain took 78%. In the results of DITI, average value of all objects show $032{\pm}0.18$ as a meaning result. Conclusions : In medical treatment of cervical syndrome, this result shows necessity of keeping pace with remedy of upper cervical deviation and medical treatment of functional change and We can learn necessity of detailed assessment through continual clinical examination.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between neck pain and physical factors in female office workers. Methods : Neck pain group of 31 female subjects complained of neck and arm discomfort. Normal group of 20 female subjects had no complaints or minimal discomfort. Cervical curvature and muscle tone were assessed by whole spine x-ray, meridian-electromyography(MEMG), craniovertebral angle. Neck pain was evaluated by Neck Disability Index(NDI) and Visual Analog Scale(VAS). Results : The NDI score and contraction power of upper trapezius by MEMG had a relationship significantly. However, there was no relationship between NDI and cervical curvature. Conclusions : The results suggest that neck pain is related to muscle tone rather than physical stress and cervical curvature.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.181-196
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• 1991

The Purpose of this study was to evaluate the marginal fit of ceramo-metal crown according to the different ceramo-metal alloy types and the curvature of labio-cervical margin. Degudent $G^{(R)}$ as precious and $Verabond^{(R)}$ as non-precious ceramo-metal alloy were used. The abutment was preparaed with two different curvature types : a normal curvature type and a pronounced curvature type. 20 crowns were farbricated using four different combinations and their marginal fits were measured at 3 consecutive stages (before degassing, after degassing, after glazing) using microscope under 200 magnification. The results were as follows: 1 . Marginal fitness before degassing. The groups of precious ceramo-metal exhibited better marginal fit than the groups of non-precious ceramo-metal with significant difference(P<0.05) . In the same ceramo-metal groups, the normal curvature group exhibited better marginal fit than the pronounced curvature group but without significant difference(P>0.05). 2. Marginal fitness after degassing. By degassing, the group of pronounced curvature and non-precious ceramo-metal was deformed the most, and the degree of margin fitness of each group was the same as before degassing. 3. Marginal fitness after glazing The group of normal curvature and precious ceramo-metal exhibited better marginal fit than the group of pronounced curvature and non-precious ceramo-metal with significant difference(P>0.05), and the degree of margin fitness of each group was the same as before degassing.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.33-41
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• 2010

Objectives : This study is designed to find out the relationship of scoliotic curve, cervical lordosis, lumbar lordosis and Ferguson's angle. Method : The study was composed of 46 scoliosis patients who had single curvature(Group I) on their lumbar spine(Group I-A) or thoracic spine(Group I-B) and 38 patients who had double curvature(Group II) on their lumbar and thoracic spine. The patients were evaluated with X-ray findings of full spine AP and Lateral views and statistically analyzed. Results : 1. Group II showed a significant increase in scoliotic curve angle as compared with Group I(P<0.05). 2. Scoliotic curve has a negative relationship with cervical lordosis in group II. Conclusion : 1. The patients who has double curvature of spine had higher scoliotic curve angle compared with who has single curvature. 2. The Scoliotic curve and cervical lordosis was statistically concerned on patients who has double curvature of spine.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.456-464
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• 2017

Objective : Although little is known about its origins, neck pain may be related to several associated anatomical pathologies. We aimed to characterize the incidence and features of chronic neck pain and analyze the relationship between neck pain severity and its affecting factors. Methods : Between March 2012 and July 2013, we studied 216 patients with chronic neck pain. Initially, combined tramadol (37.5 mg) plus acetaminophen (325 mg) was administered orally twice daily (b.i.d.) to all patients over a 2-week period. After two weeks, patients were evaluated for neck pain during an outpatient clinic visit. If the numeric rating scale of the patient had not decreased to 5 or lower, a cervical medial branch block (MBB) was recommended after double-dosed previous medication trial. We classified all patients into two groups (mild vs. severe neck pain group), based on medication efficacy. Logistic regression tests were used to evaluate the factors associated with neck pain severity. Results : A total of 198 patients were included in the analyses, due to follow-up loss in 18 patients. While medication was successful in reducing pain in 68.2% patients with chronic neck pain, the remaining patients required cervical MBB. Lateral cervical curvature, such as a straight or sigmoid type curve, was found to be significantly associated with the severity of neck pain. Conclusion : We managed chronic neck pain with a simple pharmacological management protocol followed by MBB. We should keep in mind that it may be difficult to manage the patient with straight or sigmoid lateral curvature only with oral medication.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1122-1127
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• 2017

The purpose of this case study was to identify the effects of posteroanterior (PA) mobilization on the cervical spine in a patient with chronic whiplash-associated disorder (WAD). The subject of this study was a 58-year-old woman who sustained a chronic WAD as a result of a motor vehicle accident two years prior. The subject has progressively worsening neck pain and stiffness. The subject was determined to have a grade IIb WAD the use of the Modified Quebec Classification. The intervention was central and unilateral PA mobilization on the spinous process of C4 and C5. The PA mobilizations were performed at the end of range to Maitland grade IV. The PA mobilization was conducted once daily for a total of eight days. Two sets of measurements were done one before and one after the intervention. Neck pain, cervical stiffness, range of motion and lordosis of the cervical spine were measured. Experimental intervention decreased the neck pain, and increased the neck stiffness and cervical ROM (range of motion) such as flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation. X-ray photographs also represented that cervical curvature increased from $35^{\circ}$ to $40^{\circ}$. This study suggested that PA cervical mobilization applied to hronic WAD is effective in decreasing pain, increasing cervical ROM and cervical curvature.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.393-405
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• 1996

This study was performed to investigate the effects of changes of head posture and cervical spine shape on the mandibular resting or clenching electromyographic(EMG) activity in anterior temporalis(TA), masseter(MM), sternocleidomastoid muscle(SCM) and trapezius insertion(TI). 30 patients with Temporomandibular Disorders(TMDs) participated in this study. EMG activity($\mu$V) at rest and clenching was observed in four head postures, namely natural head posture(NHP), forward head posture(FHP), upward head posture(UHP), and downward head posture(DHP). For taking in upward or downward head posture head was inclined 10$^{\circ}$ upward or downward and CROM$^\textregistered$(cervical-range-of motion, Performance attainment Inc., USA) was used to maintain same posture during the procedure, and BioEMG$^\textregistered$ (Bioelectromyograph, Bioresearch Inc., USA) was used to record EMG activity in the above four muscles at eight locations on both sides. The recorded EMG activity($\mu\textrm{V}$) were compared and analyzed by cervical spine shape such as the head position from plum line, cervical curvature, and cervical inclination. Head position from plum line was measured in vertical plate calibrated with cm scale, comical curvature by radius was measured with adjustable curved ruler, and cervical inclination by cervical vertebrae tangent(CVT)was measured in lateral cephalograph. The results obtained were as follows : 1. Mean value of head position from plum line, cervical curvature, and cervical inclination were 4.8cm, 26.7cm, and 86.6$^{\circ}$, respectively, And There were no correlationship among these items. 2. For resting EMG activity by head posture, the value in anterior temporalis was higher at FHP than at DHP, the value in masseter was higher at FHP than at NHP, and DHP, the value in sternocleidomastoid muscle was higher at UHP than at NHP, and the value in trapezius insertion was higher at FHP and DHP than, NHP and UHP. The clenching EMG activity, however, did not show any difference by head posture. 3. Comparison of resting and clenching EMG activity between higher and lower groups by head position from plum line, cervical curvature, and cervical inclination did not show any significant difference. From this result, the author concluded that the cervical spine shape had not significantly affected to EMG activity in usual patients with TMDs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.259-264
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• 2008

Objective : Total laminectomy (TL) is an effective surgical technique for the treatment of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) along multiple levels. However, kyphosis and probable neurological deterioration have been frequently reported after laminectomy. We analyzed the changes in the cervical curvature after TL and subsequent changes in neurological status. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the records of 14 patients who underwent TL for the treatment of cervical OPLL between Jan. 1998 and Dec. 2003. TL was selected according to the previously determined criteria. The curvature of the cervical spine was visualized on a lateral cervical spine X-ray and measured using Ishihara's Curvature Index (CI) before the operation and at the last follow-up examination. Perioperative neurological status was estimated using the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score and the Improvement Rate (IR) at the same time as the images were evaluated. Results : The mean age of the patients was 57 years, the male/female ratio was 10:4, and the mean follow-up period was 41 months. The mean number of OPLL was 4.9, and the mean number of operated levels was also 4.9. The CI decreased after TL (p=0002), which was indicative of a kyphotic change. However, this kyphotic change showed no correlation with the length of the follow-up period, number of operated levels and preoperative CI. Neurological examination at the last follow-up showed an improved neurological status in all patients (p=0.001). There was no neurological deterioration in any case during the follow-up period. Moreover, there was no correlation between IR and the degree of kyphotic change. Postoperative complications, such as C5 radiculopathy and epidural bleeding, resolved spontaneously without neurological sequelae. Conclusion : Kyphotic change was observed in all but one patient who underwent TL for the treatment of cervical OPLL. However, we did not find any contributing factors to kyphosis or evidence of postoperative neurological deterioration.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.37-51
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• 2017

Objectives This study was designed to identify the effect of acupuncture combined with wooden neck pillow self-exercise program (WSP). Methods 25 eligible subjects with chronic neck pain were recruited from September 2015 to August 2016. Subjects were treated by acupuncture twice a week for 4 weeks, also were educated WSP and exercised every day for 4 weeks. They were assessed using PI-NRS, NDI and the maximum muscle strength of deep cervical flexor muscles (DCF) before and after treatment. Also the Cobb's angle (C1-C7), Ishihara index, Park method were assessed for evaluating the radiographical changes. Variables were compared using paired t-test. And correlates analysis was used for analyzing relationship between differentials in the maximum muscle strength of DCF and differentials in cervical spine curvature measurement methods. Results Among the 25 subjects, 4 subjects were lost to follow-up or excluded in accordance with the criteria. Significant differences on NRS, NDI and the maximum muscle strength of DCF were seen after treatment (p<0.001). In radiological finding, cervical spine curvature measurement methods were significantly increased (p<0.001, p<0.05, p<0.05). Differentials in the maximum muscle strength of DCF significantly correlates to differentials in Ishihara index (R=0.479, p<0.05). Conclusions Acupuncture combined with WSP may decrease neck pain intensity and associated disability, and also increase the muscle strength of DCF and cervical lordosis, in patients with chronic neck pain. Especially, Improving the muscle strength of DCF has a relationship with improving Ishihara index. However, due to the design of this study, this treatment can not be compared with other treatments. Future randomized project should be needed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.3 s.54
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• pp.565-577
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• 1996

This study was conducted to evaluate the association of work posture with cervical spine abnormality toward 106 microwave-oven assemblers. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain a general characteristics and a work history of workers. The posture of neck and shoulder joint of workers were measured with video tape recording and the simple X-ray of cervical spine was checked-up to observe the X-ray abnormality including degenerative change, curvature abnormality, disc space narrowing or disc canal narrowing. The result were as follows. 1. The prevalence of degenerative change among cervicobrachial disorder workers was 44.3% (47 persons), curvature abnormality was 43.4%(46 persons), disc space narrowing was 21.7%(23 persons), and disc canal narrowing was 21.7%(23 persons). 2. The prevalence of degenerative change at cervical spine was increased with the degree of neck flexion(flexed versus neutral, odds ratio [OR]=2.7), the total work posture of neck(mild or severe awkward versus neutral ; OR=1.2, 3.4). 3. The prevalence of degenerative change at cervical spine was increased with the degree of the right shoulder flexion, the heaviness of the materials carried by the right hand and the degree of awkwardness at the total work posture of right shoulder(p<0.05). 4. There was no evidence of association between curvature abnormality, disc space narrowing, disc canal narrowing and work posture. In conclusion the awkward work posture was related with degenerative change of cervical spine among microwave oven assembling workers and the further study in these field must be made to prove the association objectively.