• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2010

Purpose : This research intended to find out the effects of scalenus medius muscle relaxed posture on the increase of head-neck rotation for general adults. Methods : This research was conducted on 30 subjects whose both sides head neck rotation angles are not the same and that agreed to participate in the experiment. In a posture of sitting erectly on a mat, both sides head neck rotation angles were measured with C-ROM equipment, and while supporting arm in direction opposite the side where head neck rotation limited and leaning over the body at 45 degree and neck at vertical condition against ground, head-neck rotation angles were measured each with C-ROM equipment. Results : The Head-Neck rotation angle on the side of limited head-neck rotation demonstrated more increase in scalenus medius relaxed posture than in erect sitting posture, showing significant difference statistically(p<0.05). The head-neck rotation angle on the side of non-limited Head-Neck rotation demonstrated more decrease in scalenus medius relaxed posture than in erect sitting posture, not showing any significant difference statistically (p>0.05). Conclusions : This posture may be used for preventing limit of head-neck rotation caused of scalenus medius muscle tension and increasing head-neck rotation.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.239-248
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• 1992

Two hundred sisty five patients who complained of neck pain with stiffness and pain of the suprascapular area were studied. In most cases the anatomical locations of pain were in the levator scapulae muscles or trapezius muscles. Hyperactivity of dorsal scapular nerve or spinal accessory nerve which innervate those muscles was thought to be responsible for these pains. The hyperactivity of the nerves may be due to the spasm of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the scalenus medius muscle which the nerves meet during their courses to the levator scapulae or trapezius muscles. Therefore, spasmolytic treatment on the scalenus medius provided effective relief for neck or shoulder pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study is to suggest an intervention method for clinical use in the future by analyzing the effect of breathing exercise on activity of sternocleidomastoid muscle and scalenus anterior muscle, which are respiratory synergist muscles, and pulmonary functions in patients with forward head posture. Methods: Prior to the experiment, 12 patients (experimental group) performed feedback exhalation exercise along with conventional deep neck exercise, and 11 subjects (control group) performed feedback deep neck exercise along with conventional deep neck exercise. The intervention programs were performed for 40 minutes once a day (three times a week for four weeks). Results: Before intervention, %RMS was measured for surface electromyography (sEMG), and FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC were measured using a spirometer. After four weeks, these items were re-measured under the same condition and analyzed. In within-group comparison of the experimental group, activity of sternocleidomastoid muscle and scalenus anterior muscle showed a significant decrease (p<0.05)(p<0.001), and forced vital capacity (FVC) showed a significant increase (p<0.05). In within-group comparison of the control group, activity of sternocleidomastoid muscle and scalenus anterior muscle showed a significant decrease (p<0.05), and in between-group comparison, there were significant differences in activity of sternocleidomastoid muscle and FVC (p<0.05). Conclusion: Long-term forward head posture restrains exercise performance of the neck and leads to exercise avoidance of the neck during daily activities, thus restraint factors might be created even while breathing. To cut off this link, a constant effort is required and diversified research on the correlation between neck functions and breathing should be conducted.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.65-72
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the differences between the muscle activity of cranio-cervical flexion and extension muscles according to the types of tools used through a short-term intervention of cranio-cervical static stabilization exercises using small tools. METHODS: A total of fifteen male and female adults in their 20s who showed forward head posture in the overall body posture measurement system participated in this study. Each subject performed cranio-cervical static stabilization exercises about flexion and extension while using a sling, a foam roller, a TOGU ball, and without tools separately, and the muscle activity of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, scalenus anterior and splenius capitis was measured. Each value was measured for 10 seconds a total of three times. The maximum voluntary isometric contraction value was computed using the average during the middle four seconds. RESULTS: Cranio-cervical flexion exercises using various tool types, the average activity of the sternocleidomastoid and scalenus anterior muscles was significantly higher when applying the TOGU ball (p<.05). According to the results of implementing cranio-cervical flexion exercise using various tools, the maximum muscle activity of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was significantly higher for the TOGU ball (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Based on these results, the provision of an unstable surface using small tools rather than a stable surface is recommended as an exercise scheme for proprioceptive stimulation in a forward head posture. Particularly, we recommend using the TOGU ball for the provision of an unstable surface to increase the muscle activity of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and scalenus anterior.

• The Journal of Korea CHUNA Manual Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2001

Objectives : Scalenus anticus syndrome and Piriformis syndrome is representative of myogenic Nerve entrapment syndrome, and their clinical symptoms are similar to HIVD(herniated Intervertebral disc) of cervical or lumbar spine. But, distinguished by muscle test, these syndrome apply to Meridian-muscle therapy. Methods : Meridian-muscle therapy consists of Ashi(阿是)-point therapy, taping therapy, myofascial release technique, manipulation, their based on the traditional meridian-muscle theory. This theory is similar to myofascial pain syndrome in western medicine. The study population consisted of 9 patients who were already diagnosed as Nerve entrapment syndrome with radiological examination & physical examination and muscle test. The evaluation of clinical outcome was done by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Pain Assesment Questionnaire(PAQ). Results and Conclusions : After treatment, All patient's VAS is decreased as $2.11{\pm}1.59$ and the evaluation of clinical effect was excellent(6 cases) or good(3 cases) according to PAQ. Conclusively, Meridian muscle therapy is efficacious against Nerve entrapment syndrome.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 1992

One hundred and four patients who complained of chest pain or back pain in the region between scapular were studied. In most cases, anatomical location of pain was in the rhomboid or serratus anterior muscle. Hyperactivity of dorsal scapular nerve or long thoracic nerve which innervate those muscles was thought to be responsible for the pain. The hyperactivity of the nerves may be due to the spasm of the scalenus medius muscle which the nerves meet during their course to the rhomboid or serratus anterior muscles. Therefore, spasmolytic treatment including trigger point injection, physical therapy, laser therapy, or NSAIDs may be effective for the treatment of chest pain or back pain.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.586-590
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• 1993

Thoracic Outlet syndrome is defined to compression of the subclavian vessels and brachial plexus at the superior aperture of the thorax. It was previously designed due to presumable etiologies such as scalenus anticus, costoclavicular, hyperabduction, cervical rib or first rib syndromes. We experienced a case of thoracic outlet syndrome[scalene anticus syndrome] .Patient has been suffered from swelling and numbness of the right forearm and hand for 2 years. Diagnosis was made by preoperative selective angiography. Scalenus anticus and medius muscle resction and first rib resection was done with transaxillary approach. Postoperative course was not eventful.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.21-29
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the relation between cervical spine lateroflexion and upper limb numbness after whiplash injury by traffic accident. Methods : Outpatients who visited Jaseng korean medicine hospital after traffic accident took cervical MRI. Patients who had Normal disc and bulging disc were reviewed to measure the cervical lateroflexion by C2-C7 Cobb's angle & scalenus muscle's length through neutrality AP X-ray views. For statistics, we used SPSS version 18.0 for windows. Results : Groups classified into difference of scalenus muscle's length were showen statistical significance than into cobb's angle. Means of numbness group's length difference are $4.18{\pm}2.26mm$ and that of non-numbness group is $1.59{\pm}1.17mm$. Unilateral numbness group had greater angle and longer of length's difference than non-numbness group. Conclusions : The more severe the lateroflexion of the upper extremity numbness occurs well. Group classifed into difference of scalenus muscle's length has more tendency of occurrence of upper limb numbness than that into cobb's angle. And upper limb numbness occurs more frequently at the same direction of lateroflexion.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.403-414
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined how performing chin tuck exercises in supine, sitting, and standing positions affects changes in the muscle activity of the neck and shoulder. Methods: Seventeen men and three women with forward head posture participated in the study. The subjects performed the chin tuck exercise using a pressure biofeedback unit. After determining the ideal order for performing the chin tuck exercise in supine, sitting, and standing positions through randomized controlled trials, muscle activity was measured in the dominant-side sternocleidomastoid, scalenus anterior, upper trapezius, and levator scapulae. Muscle activity was measured three times in each muscle for each position, and the average of the three measurements was used for analysis. Results: In this study, the chin tuck exercise performed in a supine position reduced muscle activity of the sternocleidomastoid, scalenus anterior, upper trapezius, and levator scapulae significantly more than performing the exercise in either sitting or standing positions (p < 0.05). No significant difference in muscle activity was observed when the exercise was performed in a sitting position versus a standing position (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Performing a chin tuck exercise in a supine position is more effective for stabilizing the neck and shoulder than performing it in a sitting or standing position, as it reduces excessive tension and fatigue in the neck and shoulder.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1999

Surgical treatment was performed on the 39 cases out of 76 cases of entrapments of the thoracic outlet. The remaining 36 cases of entrapments were treated by conservatively. The operated cases were categorized as follows. They were 34 cases of scalenus anticus syndrome, 1 of cervical rib syndrome, 2 of costoclavicular syndrome, and 2 of hyperabduction syndrome. 1. Scalenus anticus syndrome : Anterior scalenotomy was performed by simple sectioning of the attachment to the first rib. 2. Cervical rib syndrome : Complete decompressive resection of cervical rib sometimes required both anterior and posterior approaches to avoid over-retraction of the brachial plexus. 3. Costoclavicular syndrome : Partial decompressive claviculectomy was undergone instead of conventional total claviculectomy. 4. Hyperabduction syndrome : The resection of coracoid process was performed as well as conventional tenotomy of pectoralis minor muscle to insure free up-and-down moving of neurovascular bundle at the time of hyperabduction. Every diagnostic maneuver was tested at the time of operation to observe whether or not neurovascular decompression including restoration of radial pulse was sufficient. Despite of the postoperative vascular restoration was inmediate, neurogenic symptoms were improved slowly. Because this entity is essentially chronic nerve injnry, its recovery needed a couple of months or several. Although improvement was slow, ultimate results were definite. Complication was not observed.