• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2020

There are studies on breathing pattern disorder (BPD), but the causes of BPD are still complex, and various studies are ongoing. This study reviewed several studies to investigate the possibility that pathological changes in the scalene muscles may be one of the causes of dyspnea, and that treatment of them may improve respiratory disorders. Anatomically, the scalene muscles are located between the cervical vertebrae and the transverse process of the ribs and act as a respiratory muscle. If there is a problem or excessive in its role, it can cause chest breathing or oral breathing. These problems may further affect respiratory diseases such as hyperventilation syndrome, obstructive disease, restrictive disease, and respiratory disorders. According to the results of previous studies, it seems that manual therapy or exercise therapy for the scalene muscles can contribute to the treatment of BPD.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.271-281
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• 2021

Purpose : This study aimed to apply muscle relaxation exercise and ultrasound therapy as an effective treatment method for tension headache patients by comparatively analyzing the muscle mechanical properties, neck disorder index, and headache impact test. Method : The subjects were classified into three groups based on the intervention received: the therapeutic ultrasound (n=15, group I), placebo therapeutic ultrasound combined with the suboccipital release (n=15, group II), and therapeutic ultrasound combined with suboccipital release (n=15, group III) groups. The intragroup and intergroup differences in muscle mechanical properties, neck disability index, and headache impact test were compared and analyzed. Result : The comparison and analyses of the changes in muscle tone and post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant intragroup decreases in the suboccipitalis and upper trapezius in groups I and III. Furthermore, statistically significant intergroup differences in the upper trapezius with a greater change in group III than in group II and suboccipitalis with greater changes in group III than in groups I and II were observed. The comparison and analyses of the changes in muscle stiffness and post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant intragroup decreases in the upper trapezius in group I and suboccipitalis in group III. Moreover, statistically significant intergroup differences in both muscles with greater changes in group III than in group II for both cases were observed. The comparison and analyses of the changes in the neck disability index and post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant intragroup decreases in all three groups and statistically significant intergroup differences with greater changes in group III than in groups I and II. The comparison and analyses of the changes in the headache impact test and post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant intragroup decreases in all three groups and a statistically significant intergroup difference with greater changes in group III than in groups I and II. Conclusion : The therapeutic ultrasound and suboccipital muscle release exercise effectively increased the flexibility of the muscles around the cervical vertebrae and reduced muscle tension and stiffness in tension-type headache patients.