• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.227-235
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cervical vertebral height and shoulder stabilization on anterior head posture in people with turtle neck. The subjects of this study consisted of normal and healthy people with 30 turtle necks. Subjects were randomly assigned to shoulder stabilization exercise and cervical vertebrae exercise (30 men, 15 men and 15 women, height: $168.67{\pm}6.51$, $22.33{\pm}8.27$, $65.03{\pm}11.98$, and $28.66{\pm}1.91$), In the experimental group, shoulder stabilization exercise and cervical spine exercise were performed for 4 weeks. Deep neck flexor, leavator scapular, upper trapezius, rhomboid, and lower trapezius showed significant differences in shoulder stabilization and cervical vertebrae before and after the experiment. As a result, the CVA value decreased significantly and the muscle activity value increased significantly when exercise and Mckenzie program were applied. These results show that exercise and Mckenzie programs have a positive effect on turtle neck improvement.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.65-90
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• 2003

To identify the effects of joint mobilization on the functional improvement of patients with neck pain, the present research investigated 60 neck pain patients, dividing them into a group doing joint mobilization, a group doing Mckenzie exercise and a group using modalities. This study examined patients degree of recovery from neck pain by comparing their neck pain before and after the treatment, and compared three groups to find difference in the degree of recovery from neck pain. The results of this study are as follows : 1. For the joint mobilization group, the visual analogue scale (VAS) decreased significantly for three weeks treatment, and the range of motion (ROM) of cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p<.05). 2. For the Mckenzie exercise group, the visual analogue scale decreased significantly for three weeks treatment, and the range of motion cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p<.05). 3. For the modality using group, the visual analogue scale decreased significantly for three weeks treatment, and the range of motion of cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p<.05). 4. In the comparison of VAS and ROM of the three groups before and after the treatment, significant differences were found among the three groups in VAS after three weeks' treatment, and in ROM before the treatment(p<.05). 5. In all the three groups, VAS decreased and the ROM of cervical vertebrae increased after the treatment, and in particular, the decrease of VAS and the increase of the ROM of cervical vertebrae were remarkable in the joint mobilization group.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.277-294
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• 2003

The present study attempted to investigate the angle of cervical vertebrae motions of thirty subjects who are seated in front of computers for a long time. The subjects were divided into Group A, B and C, which were for ultrasound treatment and relaxing exercise, for ultrasound treatment and massage, and relaxing exercise and massage respectively. This study made comparisons between groups of different ages and genders before treatment, between groups of different genders by segment before treatment, and between before and after treatment for each group. It also made multiple comparison based on the variance analysis among groups and comparison between Group A and B. From the results of this study, following conclusions were drawn. 1. When comparing the total means of different age groups, female subjects' angle of motions was wider than male subjects' in all age groups except the group at the age of 30-34. 2. When comparing the total means of different segments of cervical vertebrae, female subjects' angle of motions was wider than male subjects' in segment C3-4, C4-5 and C5-6. 3. Group A showed a significant difference from Group B and C in segment C4-5, and only Group C showed a significant difference in the other segments(p<0.05). 4. When comparing the total angle of cervical vertebrae motions between Group A and Group B, there was a slight but not significant difference in the angle(p<0.05).

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.242-252
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• 2023

Background: Neck pain is a common problem in the general population and second only to low back pain in musculoskeletal problems. The aim of this study is to compare three different types of exercise training in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods: This study was conducted on 45 patients with neck pain. Patients were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (conventional treatment), Group 2 (conventional treatment plus deep cervical flexor training), and Group 3 (conventional treatment plus stabilization of the neck and core region). The exercise programs were applied for four weeks, three days a week. The demographic data, pain intensity (verbal numeric pain scale), posture (Reedco's posture scale), cervical range of motion ([ROM] goniometer), and disability (Neck Disability Index [NDI]) were evaluated. Results: In all groups, a significant improvement was found in terms of pain, posture, ROM, and NDI values in all groups (P < 0.001). Between the groups, analyses showed that the pain and posture improved more in Group 3, while the ROM and NDI improved more in Group 2. Conclusions: In addition to conventional treatment, applying core stabilization exercises or deep cervical flexor muscle training to patients with neck pain may be more effective in reducing pain and disability and increasing ROM than conventional treatment alone.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2017

PURPOSE: Forward head posture and turtle neck are common musculoskeletal disorders of the cervical vertebrae. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combined exercise training and chiropractic on the grip strength and cervical muscle strength of subjects with forward head posture and turtle neck. METHODS: The subjects were divided into two groups: forward head posture (n=9) and turtle neck (n=9). Both groups performed combined exercise training and chiropractic. The subjects were instructed about the exercise training once a week. This training was performed for 30 minutes every day for 8 weeks, and the chiropractic was performed for 15 minutes once a week. The cervical muscle strength and grip strength were measured. Two-way repeated measured ANOVA was performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In changes to the left grip strength, the main effect over time was significant, but the interaction effect and the main effect in the groups were not significant. In changes to the right grip strength, no difference was found to be statistically significant. In changes to the cervical muscle strength, no difference was found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The increases of grips strengths and cervical muscle strength in forward head posture group were greater than turtle neck group but there were not found to be statistically significant.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1810-1817
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• 2019

Background: Effect of cervical and lumbar tractions on the reduction in the angle of curvature and the effect of a correction exercise or a general traction method on balance, muscle strength, pain, and body alignment, however insufficient research has been undertaken on self traction exercises targeting patients with scoliosis. Purpose: To determine the effect of cervical and lumbar tractions on the reduction in the angle of curvature and the effect of a correction exercise or a general traction method on balance, muscle strength, pain, and body alignment. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial (single blinded) Methods: Twelve adults(20s) with scoliosis were included in this study and performed a traction program that was composed of a 5-min warm-up exercise, a 15-min main exercise, and a 5-min cool-down exercise (25 minutes in total), three times a week for four weeks. The Chiro traction machine was used for the self-traction exercise. Vertebral alignment, muscle strength, and flexibility were compared before and after the intervention using the paired T-test. Results: The scoliosis angle, pelvic torsion, and lumbar extensor were significantly changed by intervention; however, there was no significant difference in flexibility. Conclusion: The results revealed that self-traction exercise activated blood flow through the extension and contraction of muscles, effectively increasing the function of the muscles around the vertebrae.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

Objective : This report is to introduce the clinical application of Whidam's Su-Gi therapy to shoulder pain. Methods : Whidam's Su-Gi therapy for shoulder pain first identifies for red flags in order to select a person to be treated in korean medicine. After performing shoulder joint mobility evaluation and Su-Gi treatment, determine the disadvantage, and determine the mobility evaluation and Su-Gi treatment route of the shoulder, the shoulder blade, and cervical vertebrae. The advantage and pain are evaluated by a manual exercise test. After performing Su-Gi therapy according to the evaluation at each stage, pain and dysfunction are reevaluated to check the negative and proceed to the next step. Conclusions : The clinical application of Whidam's Su-Gi therapy to shoulder pain was organized around the correlation between the shoulder joint, the shoulder, the shoulder blade, and cervical vertebrae, and a medical flow chart was constructed away from the listed description method.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.104-113
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• 2024

Forward Head Posture (FHP) involves the anterior positioning of the head relative to the shoulders, often associated with muscular imbalances. It is known that individuals with FHP experience shortening of craniocervical extensors and cervical flexors. However, contrary to the understanding of flexion in the craniocervical extension subaxial region, a study has reported flexion in the craniovertebral spinal vertebrae among individuals with FHP. The aim of this study was to examine the consistency of biomechanical study results conducted for FHP. The relevant studies were investigated in PubMed and Google Scholar databases using the keywords "forward head posture OR cervical sagittal alignment OR cervical spine AND biomechanics OR kinetic analysis OR kinematic analysis." During the research selection process, only nine studies relevant to the purpose of our study were identified. Out of these nine studies, four conducted kinematic analysis related to FHP formation, while six conducted kinetic analysis. During the comparison of these studies, five inconsistencies were identified. Biomechanical studies on FHP reveal conflicting findings, suggesting potential variability in the biomechanics of FHP formation across individuals. However, drawing definitive conclusions requires further exploration through additional biomechanical investigations on FHP in the future.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.184-193
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• 2023

Background: Studies investigating the immediate effects of a single intervention to correct forward head posture are rare. Objects: This study aimed to compare the changes in treatment effects in patients with forward head posture and neck pain after manual and self-exercise therapy over a 1-hour period. Methods: Twenty-eight participants were randomly divided into manual and self-exercise therapy groups. Following the initial evaluation, manual or self-exercise therapy was applied to each group for 30 minutes each in the prone, supine, and sitting positions. The variables measured were the craniovertebral angle (CVA), stress level, pain level, and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) stiffness. After the intervention, re-evaluation was conducted immediately, 30 minutes later, and 1 hour later. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the maintenance of treatment effects between the two groups. Results: Based on the two-way mixed ANOVA variance, there was no interaction between the groups and time for all variables, and no main effects were found between the groups. However, a significant effect of time was observed (p < 0.05). Post hoc tests using Bonferroni's correction revealed that in both groups, the CVA, pain, and stress showed significant improvements immediately after the intervention compared with before the intervention, and these treatment effects were maintained for up to 1 hour after the treatment (p < 0.0083) in the manual therapy group. However, the stress level was maintained until 30 minutes later (p < 0.0083) in the self-exercise group. There was no significant decrease in right SCM stiffness before and after the intervention; however, left SCM stiffness significantly decreased after the self-exercise intervention (p < 0.0083). Conclusion: Both manual and self-exercise therapy for 30 minutes were effective in reducing forward head posture related to the CVA, pain, and stress levels. These effects persisted for at least 30 minutes.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to provide objective and basic data for an effective treatment method by examining changes in the mechanical properties of muscles and the degree of tenderness when a combination of stretching exercise and ultrasound therapy is applied to patients with tension headaches. Methods: The participants were classified into two groups based on the intervention received: the therapeutic ultrasound combined with suboccipital stretching (n=15, experimental group) and infrared combined with suboccipital stretching (n=15, control group) groups. The intragroup differences in mechanical muscle properties and modified total tenderness score were compared and analyzed. Results: The comparison and analyses of the changes in muscle tone and stiffness revealed statistically significant intragroup decreases in the upper trapezius and suboccipitalis in the experimental group. Similarly, the comparison and analyses of the changes in muscle stiffness revealed statistically significant intragroup decreases in the upper trapezius in the control group. Conclusion: Therapeutic ultrasound combined with suboccipitalis stretching effectively increased the flexibility of the muscles around the cervical vertebrae and reduced muscle tension and stiffness in tension-type headache patients