• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.67-81
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• 2005

We have conclusions after the study of muscular system about small intestine channel of hand taiyang muscle. Judging from many studies of interrelation between Meridian muscle and muscle, it is considered that Meridian muscle theory has some similarities with modern anatomical muscular system. It is considered that Small intestine channel of hand taiyang muscle contains Flexor digitorum profundus muscle, Extensor digiti minimi muscle, Abductor digiti minimi muscle, Extensor carpi ulnaris muscle, Flexor carpi ulnaris muscle, Triceps brachii muscle, Infraspinatus muscle, Levator scapulae muscle, Sternocleidomastoid muscle, Masseter muscle, Temporalis muscle. The symptoms of small intestine channel of hand taiyang muscle is similar to referred pain of modern Myofascial Pain Syndrome, and the medical treatment of "I Tong Wi Su(以痛爲輸)" is also similar to that of Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Small intestine channel of hand taiyang muscle is one of the three yang channels of hand muscle, and it has unity in extension of upper limb and trunk in the movement. And it is thought that weakness of small intestine channel of hand taiyang muscle is related with muscular system causing Round Shoulder and Head Forward Position.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1-10
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• 2001

Objective : This study was performed to confirm the effects of acupuncture on myofascial pain syndrome(MPS) through the change of visual analogue scale(VAS) and pain pressure threshold(PPT) and the usefulness of pressure algometer on the evaluation of pain. Methods : We perfomed this study with 20 outpatients complaining of upper back pain. Before acupuncture therapy(AT), immediately after AT and 2-3 days after AT, we respectively checked visual analogue scale(VAS) and pain pressure threshold(PPT) through pressure algometer, with patients seated and relaxed. The PPT was checked at major trigger point of upper trapezius, levator scapulae, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, rhomboideus minor. and the patients were needled at the same points and maintained for 15 minutes. Results : VAS of immediately after AT was mild higher than that of before AT, but not significantly different. and VAS of 2-3 days after AT was significantly lower than before AT and immediately after AT. PPT of immediately after AT was lower than before PT, but not significantly different. PPT of 2-3 days after AT was significantly higher than that of before AT and immediately after AT. Also PPT was significantly correlated with VAS. Conclusion : PPT of omen was signicantly lower than that of men. and there was no significant difference by age. PPT was increased according to pain duration. Effectiveness of acupuncture on myofascial pain syndrome through PPT and VAS is showed at 2-3 days after AT rather than immediatly after AT. and pressure algometer is useful for the evaluation of Acupuncture therapy on myofascial pain syndrome.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.17-27
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• 2015

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of three interventions (intervention by passive range of motion exercise plus manual cervical traction, Mulligan's joint mobilization, and strengthening exercises) after Kaltenborn's joint mobilization on the cervical spine alignment, and muscle activity in patients with a forward head posture. METHODS: The subjects were 39 students from H University in Chungnam and C University in Jeonbuk. The subjects in each group attended training sessions three times a week for four weeks. We used one-way ANOVA and Scheffe's post hoc test to compare values between groups, and used paired t-test to compare the values of the dependent variables within groups. RESULTS: The results showed that the active intervention group experienced a significant increase compared to the passive intervention group in terms of the craniovertebral angle, cervical lordosis angle, and had significant decreases compared to the passive intervention group in terms of the upper trapezius muscle activity. The active intervention group also had significant increases in craniovertebral angle and decreased anterior scalene muscle activity than the active-assistive intervention group. The active-assistive intervention group had significant decreases compared to the active intervention group in terms of the serratus anterior, levator scapulae, and splenius capitis muscle activity. CONCLUSION: It appears that the subjects with a forward head posture had significant improvements in the cervical lordosis angle, cranial rotation angle, craniovertebral angle, and muscle activity after intervention by Mulligan's joint mobilization (active-assistive intervention component) and strengthening exercises (active intervention component) after applying Kaltenborn's joint mobilization.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.45-53
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was conducted to investigate the effects of kinesio taping and coordination exercise on the myofascial pain syndrome and shoulder function. Methods: The patients with myofascial pain syndrome were participated in this study and divided randomly 2 groups. Control group (n=22) was taken only physical therapy program. Experimental group (n=22) was taken physical therapy with Kinesio taping and coordination exercise. The Kinesio taping in experimental group applied on levator scapulae and supraspinatus. The coordination exercise performed in supine position and sitting position on 15 times during 10 seconds each positions. We measured the pain degree using visual analog scale (VAS), pain rating score (PRS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), myofascial pain subjects symptoms index and shoulder motor function using constant shoulder assessment scale; CSA before and after experiment. Results: The significant test of CSA, myofascial pain subjects symptoms index, VAS, PRS according to applying the Kinesio taping and coordination exercise between groups used ANCOVA. In the result following analysis, there was significance on VAS (F=13.071, p=.031), PRS (F=12.130, p=.014), PPT (F=7.378, p=.016), CSA (F=5.302, p=.026) between control group and experimental group. Conclusion: Then, Kinesio taping and coordination exercise has benefit on the VAS, PRS, PPT, CSA in patients with myofascial pain syndrome. So, it may suggest that Kinesio taping combined with coordination exercise will be helpful of the pain and shoulder function improvement the patients with myofascial pain syndrome.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.343-353
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• 2024

Objective: Long-term imbalances in the muscles around the neck could the functional resting length of the muscles, resulting in a chronic forward head posture. This study aimed to assess the effects of combining posture correction exercises with extracorporeal shockwave therapy on muscle activity, neck function and pain in adults with forward head posture. Design: Pretest-posttest two groups design. Methods: A total of 22 adults, diagnosed with forward head posture, participated in the study. Random assignment allocated 11 participants to the posture correction exercise (PCE) group, while the other 11 were assigned to the posture correction exercise group combined with extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT). In the combined group, ESWT was administered twice a week for four weeks, delivering 1,000 impulses in a radial pattern to the levator scapulae and upper trapezius muscles. The PCE group performed a exercise program for approximately 30 minutes, three times a week, over the same four-week period. The PCE focused on strengthening weakened muscles and stretching of shortened muscles. Results: Both the PCE group and the combined group with ESWT exhibited a significant increase in lower trapezius muscle activity within groups (p<0.05). Moreover, the craniovertebral angle and neck disability index showed significant improvements in both groups (p<0.05). While the pressure pain thresholds tended to increase only in the combined group, the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusions: This suggests that both the PCE program and the combination with ESWT can be effective in enhancing posture and reducing pain in individuals with forward head posture.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.339-352
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• 2008

Aims: The aims of this study were to identify the association between cervical muscle pain and TMD by pressure pain response, and to find cervical muscles showing moderate to severe pressure pain that are correlated with masticatory muscle pain. Methods: Patients(n=129, female 65.9%, mean age 28.8 years) answered a TMD questionnaire asking about headache, neck pain, emotional stress, sleep disturbance, parafunction habits, and pain intensity. A clinical examination of the masticatory system was performed. Of the neck muscles, (1) the upper sternocleidomastoid, (2) the middle sternocleidomastoid, (3) the upper trapezius, (4) the splenius capitis, (5) the semispinalis capitis, (6) the scalene medius, and (7) the levator scapulae muscles were examined by palpation. Pressure pain or tenderness of all palpation sites was scored from 0 to 3 according to the pain response. The variables of sum of pressure pain scores were calculated from pressure pain scores and were used for statistical analyses. Results: Eighty patients(62.0%) answered that they suffer from neck pain in the TMD questionnaire. More than 40% of sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius examination sites showed moderate to severe tenderness in the cervical muscles, and 36% of middle masseter in the masticatory muscles. For the 129 patients, the sum of cervical muscle pain scores(mean=12.88, SD=8.06) and the sum of TMD pain scores(mean=5.36, SD=5.10) were moderately correlated($\rho$ = 0.502, P < 0.001). The sum of TMD pain scores tends to increase as the sum of cervical muscle pain scores increases(Y = 0.395${\cdot}$X, $R^2$ = 0.659, P < 0.001). In the patients with masticatory muscle disorders, the sum of sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius pain scores(mean = 8.67, SD = 4.95) and the sum of temporalis and masseter pain scores(mean = 3.37, SD = 3.56) showed moderate correlation($\rho$ = 0.375, P < 0.001). Those two variables were in a proportionate relationship(Y = 0.359${\cdot}$X, $R^2$ = 0.538, P < 0.001). In a partial correlation analysis of the sum of unilateral pain scores, the sum of right cervical muscle pain scores and the sum of left cervical muscle pain scores showed the highest correlation(r = 0.802, P < 0.001). The sum of right TMD pain scores and the sum of left TMD pain scores were moderately correlated(r = 0.481, P < 0.001). For the twenty patients with unilateral TMD pain, the partial correlation coefficient between the sum of ipsilateral cervical muscle pain scores and the sum of contralateral cervical muscle pain scores was the largest(r = 0.597, P = 0.009). A partial correlation between the sum of primary TMD side pain scores and the sum of ipsilateral cervical muscle pain scores was 0.564(P = 0.015). Conclusions: TMD is associated with cervical muscle pain on condition of pressure pain response to palpation. Of the cervical muscles, sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius frequently exhibit moderate to severe pressure pain, and they are closely related to the masticatory muscle pain. The characteristic of symmetric involvement of pain is prominent in cervical muscles; however, TMD can affect the level of cervical muscle pain to modify its symmetric nature.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.471-478
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• 2004

Electromyogram (EMC) signal generated by voluntary contraction of muscles is often used in a rehabilitation devices such as an upper limb prosthesis because of its distinct output characteristics compared to other bio-signals. This paper proposes an EMG-based human-computer interface (HCI) for the control of the above-elbow prosthesis or the wheelchair. To control such rehabilitation devices, user generates four commands by combining voluntary contraction of two different muscles such as levator scapulae muscles and flexor-extensor carpi ulnaris muscles. The muscle contraction is detected by comparing the mean absolute value of the EMG signal with a preset threshold value. However. since the time difference in muscle firing can occur when the patient tries simultaneous co-contraction of two muscles, it is difficult to determine whether the patient's intention is co-contraction. Hence, the use of the comparison method using a single threshold value is not feasible for recognizing such co-contraction motion. Here, we propose a novel method using double threshold values composed of a primary threshold and an auxiliary threshold. Using the double threshold method, the co-contraction state is easily detected, and diverse interface commands can be used for the EMG-based HCI. The experimental results with real-time EMG processing showed that the double threshold method is feasible for the EMG-based HCI to control the myoelectric prosthetic hand and the powered wheelchair.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.11
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• pp.209-216
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• 2018

This study aimed to investigate the association of the muscle activity around the neck of the operator(dental hygienists') according to the change in the patient's neck angle during a direct visual inspection on the maxillary right-side molar palatal surface. The operators were $4^{th}$ year dental hygiene students, who are future dentalhy gienists, having accurate understanding on and awareness of the location of the operation site, hand fixation, and how to use the tools. Data on the change in the muscle activity around the neck were collected by using surface electromyography and neck goniometer. SPSS statistics 20 was used for statistical analyses including Shapiro-wilk test and one-way ANOVA. As a result, the activities of the operator upper trapezius, cervical erector spinae, and levator scapulae muscles significantly decreased when the patient's head was angled compared to when it was not. For the angle of the operator head, the head bend significantly decreased when the patient's head was angled than when it was not. Based on the study results, it is expected that angling the patient's head when treating his or her teeth will decrease the excessive muscle activity around the neck of the operator, and will reduce muscle fatigue. Therefore, angling the head of the patient while treating his or her teeth is recommended. This suggests that muscle pain caused by repetitive actions in the wrong posture can be reduced.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.101-109
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• 2024

Objectives : Cervical myofascial pain syndrome (C-MPS), a key aspect of Visual Display Terminals (VDT) Syndrome, leads to acute and chronic pain due to muscle shortening, potentially causing headaches and movement disorders. This study examines the effectiveness of Pharmacoacupuncture at the intersection of the Splenius Capitis (SC), Levator Scapulae (LS), and Serratus Posterior Superior(SPS) muscles under ultrasound guidance, known as the "SLS triangle" in treating C-MPS. Methods : Three patients (aged 30 to 37) with acute C-MPS presented at two Korean medicine clinics with severe neck pain and restricted cervical rotation. The evaluation of symptoms before treatment, immediately after treatment, and one day after treatment was conducted using the cervical rotation Range of motion (ROM) and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for cervical pain. Treatments included Acupuncture, Cupping therapy, Chuna manipulation, Physical Therapy, and Pharmacopuncture (Jaha-geo extract, 2cc at the SLS triangle). Results : All three patients showed significant improvement post-treatment. Immediately after treatment, Patient 1's NRS improved from 7 to 2, Patient 2's NRS improved from 4 to 1, and Patient 3's NRS improved from 6 to 2. Directly after the procedure, there were no significant adverse reactions except for one patient experiencing temporary dizziness. When the patients were followed up by phone 24 hours later, no adverse reactions were reported. Conclusions : This study demonstrates that ultrasound-guided pharmacopuncture can significantly reduce pain and improve cervical rotation in patients with cervical myofascial pain syndrome. The findings suggest this non-invasive treatment is both safe and effective, warranting further research through larger-scale clinical trials to validate its efficacy and establish standardized protocols.