• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.623-630
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• 2020

Objective : A primary degenerative sagittal imbalance has been considered because of unique lifestyles such as the prolonged crouched posture during agricultural work and performing activities of daily living on the floor. Previous papers have reported that sagittal imbalance disease is often seen distinctly in the farming districts of "oriental" countries such as Korea and Japan. However, this finding was only evaluated with the use of X-ray, and other factors such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), muscle volume, compression fracture, and laboratory results were not considered. Thus, using these, we evaluate the agricultural work-associated factors for Korean elderly spinal sagittal imbalance. Methods : We recruited 103 Korean participants who had a sagittal vertical axis (SVA) of >5 cm in this Korean Elderly Sagittal Imbalance Cohort Study. The following were evaluated : radiological parameters, MRI, compression fracture, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, C-terminal telopeptide, osteocalcin, bone mineral density and muscle fatty change, muscle volume, and health-related quality of life from patients' survey. Moreover, in this survey, the farmers' annual working hours were investigated. Subsequently, we analyzed the associated factors for spinal sagittal imbalance depending on occupation. Results : A total of 46 participants were farmers, and the others were housewives, sellers, and office workers. The farmer group had more SVA (141 vs. 99 mm, p=0.001) and pelvic tilt (31° vs. 24°, p=0.004) and lesser lumbar lordosis (20° vs. 30°, p=0.009) and thoracic kyphosis (24° vs. 33°, p=0.03) than non-farmer group. A significantly positive correlation was noted between the working hour and SVA in the farmer group (p=0.014). The visual analogue scale score for back pain (8.26 vs. 6.96, p=0.008) and Oswestry Disability Index (23.5 vs. 19.1, p=0.003) in the farmer group were higher than that in the non-farmer group, but the Short Form-36 score was not significantly different between the two groups. The Mini-Mental State Exam score was significantly lower in the farmer group than in the non-farmer group (24.85 vs. 26.98, p=0.002). Conclusion : The farmer group had more sagittal imbalance and back pain in proportion to the working hours even though the muscle and bone factors and general laboratory condition were not significantly different between the two groups. These results supported that the long hours spent in the crouched posture while performing agricultural work were a risk factor for severe sagittal imbalance.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.405-410
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• 2013

Purpose: Most studies have reported that the abdominal muscle thickness differs according to gender but none of these studies reported a gender difference in the thickness of the multifidus and erector spine. The spinal alignment is affected by the left and right balance in the trunk muscle. The aim of this study was to identify the trunk muscle symmetry according to gender and the correlations of the trunk muscle thickness with spinal alignment. Methods: Forty three subjects(27 males and 16 females) were enrolled in this study. The trunk muscle thickness was measured by ultrasonography. The trunk muscle, which consisted of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique abdominis (EOA), internal oblique abdominis (IOA), transverse abdominis (TrA), erector spine (ES), and multifidus (MF), was measured. The spinal alignment was measured by Formetric-III 3D analysis. The dependent variables of the spinal alignment were the trunk imbalance, trunk inclination, lateral deviation, and surface rotation. Results: The muscle thickness of the EOA muscle increased more significantly in the right side than the left side (p<0.05). Each left and right difference in the muscle thickness between the male and female group showed a significant difference (p<0.05) except for the TrA thickness. Significant positive correlations were observed between the ES and lateral deviation and between the TrA with trunk imbalance. Conclusion: These results suggest that asymptomatic men have a greater trunk muscle thickness than women but there was no difference between the left and right in healthy adults. The trunk muscle thickness of ES, TrA is related by the spinal alignment.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.73-82
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was performed to examine the hypothesis that the structural imbalance affect cardiac function and autonomic reflex system and to investigate the possibility of the chiropractic care for cardiovascular system. Methods : 78 of Dong-Guk University students with structural imbalance were recruited for the investigation from March to June 2007. Heart rate variability, Buss and Durkee Hostility inventory(BDHI) and physical examinations to evaluate psoas muscle contracture were performed. Results : Left psoas muscle contracture was associated with decrease of LF/HF ratio(p=0.048). Conclusion : Left side contracture of psoas muscle showed a tendency to decrease sympathetic activity.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.769-776
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• 2001

This study were to review of muscle imbalance of head, cervical and shoulder region. Head, cervical and shoulder region is a complicated mechanical unit. interconnected by numerous soft tissue links. These links, or articulation are functionaly and reflexly interdependent on one another. The line of gravity falls anterior to the transverse axis of rotation for flexion and extension of the head and creates a flexion moment. which tends to tut the head forward, is counteracted by tension in the tectorial membrane, and ligamentum nuchae, and by activity of the neck extensors. Therefore, the flexion moment equilibrate with the extension moment. Changing of the equilibrium will make mid cervical straight. It will make forward head posture(FHP) also. FHP makes imbalance of suboccipital muscles, suprahyoid muscles and infrahyoid muscles. It has some relationship with temporomandibular joint, spine and equilibrium of pelvis.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.13-20
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• 2009

Objectives : In order to investigate change of isokinetic trunk muscle strength according to decrease of body composition analysis parameter after obesity treatment. Methods : 2 obese patients have been treated with oriental medical obese treatment for 1 month. One patient got the exercise treatment, another didn't. Before and after treatment, the segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis, isokinetic trunk muscle strength test were performed. Then we analyzed the relationship of data. Results : After obesity treatment, BMI(Body Mass Index), PBF(Percentage of Body Fat), WHR(Waist Hip Ratio) were decreased in all patient and LBM(Lean Body Mass) was increased. In non-exercise patient, Ext.PT(extension Peak Torque) was decreased and Flex.PT(flexion Peak Torque) was increased. In exercise patient showed the opposite results. E/F ratio became more imbalance. Conclusions: Ext.PT was decreased in non-exercise patient but increased in exercise patient. And the trunk muscle strength became imbalance in both patients, right after the treatment. So trunk muscle exercise should be carried out and it is necessary to do long term study.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2023

Objective: Patients with scoliosis complain of various symptoms such as muscle imbalance, dysfunction, back pain, abnormal posture and gait abnormality. The most basic treatment for scoliosis is to observe the progress based on conservative treatment. Therefore, in this case report, the effect of cytoskeletal manual therapy (CMT), a soft tissue mobilization technique, on pain intensity, muscle thickness, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) in a patient with scoliosis was investigated. Design: A case report Methods: A 25-year-old male diagnosed with scoliosis visited the Neuromusculoskeletal Science Laboratory with chronic back pain. In the laboratory, scoliosis was confirmed through the X-ray image used for his diagnosis, and it was confirmed again through Adam's forward bending test. Pain, pressure pain threshold and muscle thickness were measured to compare the immediate effects of CMT applied in the laboratory for 40 minutes. Treatments were visited two weeks after the first visit and outcome measures were assessed after a total of two visits. Results: After receiving CMT up to the second session, the pain intensity decreased by 4 points and the screening angle decreased by 15 degrees. Muscle thickness decreased in all but 10 mm on the dominant side of the thoracic spine. All of the PPTs increased, and the greatest increase was 3.1 lb on the dominant side of the thoracic spine. Conclusions: CMT showed positive improvement in pain during trunk flexion, spinal curvature, muscle imbalance, and pressure pain, which is considered as an ancillary treatment option for scoliosis management.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.85-92
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• 2013

PURPOSE : The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the length of the pectoralis minor on muscle activity of trapezius and pectoralis major in subjects in subjects with shortened pectoralis minor muscle. METHOD : The subjects was participated in 36 with shortened pectoralis minor muscle. All subjects was examined the length test of pectoralis minor muscle. we divided by 3 groups. group I(n=12) was for 4~5cm of length of pectoralis minor muscle, group II(n=12) was for 5~6cm, group III(n=12) was for above 6cm. The EMG activity of upper trapezius, middle trapezius, lower trapezius and pectoralis major muscle activity was measured by surface EMG while elevationg the right arm in sitting postion with head to the neutral, shoulder elevation $135^{\circ}$ with scaption. Data were analyed using one-way ANOVA with a Tukey post hoc test. RESULT : The EMG activity differed significantly among the three groups(p<.05). The group III had significantly greater EMG activity of upper trapezius and pectoralis major muscles than group I and II(p<.05). Also, The group III had significantly smaller EMG activity of lower trapezius muscle than group I and II(p<.05). But, these was no significant difference in the EMG activity of the middle trapezius muscle among the groups (p.05). CONCLUSION : Therefore, the result of this study should be suggested that the shortened pectoralis minor muscle was affected the EMG activity of the upper trapezius, lower trapezius and pectoralis major. Ultimately the length of the pectoralis minor muscle leads to the muscle imbalance in shoulder girdle.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.2253-2260
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• 2020

Background: Patients with low back pain (LBP) experience misalignments in the center of pressure (COP) and muscle imbalances due to frequent onesided posture adjustments to avoid pain. Objectives: To identify the effects of Squat Exercises with Vertical Whole-Body Vibration on the Center of Pressure and Trunk Muscle Activity. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty LBP patients with an imbalance in the COP were sampled and randomly assigned to an experimental group of 15 patients who under went an intervention involving squat exercises with vertical WBV and a control group of 15 patients who were treated via a walking intervention. As pretests before the interventions, the subjects' COP was identified by measuring their stability index (ST), and erector spinae, rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, gluteus medius muscle activity was analyzed by determining the % reference voluntary contraction (%RVC) value using surface electromyography while sit to stand. After four weeks, a post test was conducted to remeasure the same variables using the same methods. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in the ST (P<.01) and trunk muscle (P<.05, P<.001) in the experimental group before and after the intervention. In terms of the differences between the left- and right-side (RL) muscle activity, only the transverse abdominis (TrA) and gluteus medius (GM) exhibited statistically significant increase (P<.05). A comparison of the groups showed statistically significant differences in the TrA with respect to muscle activity (P<.05) and in the RLTrA and RLGM in terms ofthe difference between left- and right-side muscle activity (P<.01). Conclusion: Squat exercises with vertical WBV produced effective changes in the COP of patients with LBP by reducing muscle imbalances through the delivery of a uniform force. In particular, strengthening the TrA and reducing an imbalance in the GM were determined to be important factors in improving the COP.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2011.06a
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• pp.1393-1394
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• 2011

• Journal of the Society of Disaster Information
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.142-158
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• 2009

The increasing number of crimes in rapidly changing modern society is enhancing people's desire for safety. As of 2008, 2,900 private security businesses with 133,000 employees operated in the private security industry which emerged in response to growing demands from society and people. Of the employees, bodyguards (hereinafter referred to as "private security guard") accounted for about 10% or 13,000. Most private security guards were suffering from various occupational diseases. Especially as they needed to guard their clients many hours a day and worked in a standing position for a long time, private security guards often complained of low back pain. Under the pain, they were hardly expected to perform their tasks efficiently. There are several causes of low back pain. The most prevalent cause is muscle weakness and imbalance around low back. Especially because private security work often requires security guards to maintain a standing position for a long time, many of them are suffering from low back pain. This study pursued the following purposes. First, it tried to identify the pathogenesis of low back pain caused by muscle weakness and imbalance around low back. Second, it tried to provide private security guards, who can hardly have personal time at work, with an easy method to prevent and manage low back pain any time by researching an effective therapy for low back pain caused by muscle weakness and imbalance around low back.