• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.59-64
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• 2008

The aims of this study were to compare and analyze two types of deep cervical flexion exercises, craniocervical flexion and cervical flexion, and to ascertain their relative effects on neck and shoulder pain and functional improvement. The participants of the study were individuals who work in sedentary jobs in an office environment. 54 appropriate subjects were chosen and randomly divided into two groups: one group underwent a craniocervical flexion exercise program and the other a cervical flexion exercise program. The six week exercise program consisted of home exercises performed by each subject five times a week and education once a week. Neck-shoulder pain, muscle strengthening, cervical alignment were measured prior to commencement of the exercise programs and again after six weeks. At completion of the six week, both exercise programs decreased neck pain (p<.05). Forward head postures were reduced, and the craniocervical flexion exercise program was more effective in reducing forward head posture (p<.05). The maximum muscle strength and 50% of maximum muscle strength maintaining time of the deep cervical flexor muscles were significantly increased. There were no significant changes of the cervical lordotic curve. The results of this study showed deep cervical flexion exercise was effective in the treatment of neck and shoulder pain, however craniocervical flexion exercise was more effective than cervical flexion exercise.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.101-105
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure the change in pain threshold of levator scapular muscle, carniovertebral angle, and head position angle when applying a head-weight device on healthy adult. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: This study was conducted with 21 healthy adult male and female who voluntarily agreed to participate in this study after being informed of the purpose and method of this study. After measuring the cervical angle and pain threshold of levator scapular muscle, subject was instructed to walk for 5 minutes on a treadmill at a speed of less than 5 km/h while wearing after wearing head-weight device of 0.5 kg. Then, cervical spine angle and pain threshold of levator scapula muscle were re-measured. Measurement of cervical spine angle was conducted with photo by using the Bluebeam Revu software and the pain pressure thresholds (PPTs) were measured using an electronic algometer over potential trigger points on the body. Results: The results cervical angle showed a significant change, from $49.62^{\circ}$ to $52.10^{\circ}$ (p<0.05). PPT showed a significant change, from 30.71 to 36.89 (p<0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that applying head-weight device has a positive influence on increasing cervical angle and reducing pain when applied as a therapeutic intervention method of forward head posture.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.105-105
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• 2005

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between cervical spine curvature and thermography on neck pain patients. Methods : The cervical spine curvature was assessed on lateral view of plain radiograph by three measurements(Depth of cervical curve, Method of Jochumsen, Angle of cervical curve), then the neck pain patients were divided into straight curvature group(Straight group), normal curvature group(Control I), and no neck pain group(Control II) was selected by random sampling. I measured temperature of the both side Pungji(風池, G20), Kyonjong(肩井, G21), Chonjong(天宗, SI11) by thermography examination on Experimental group(Straight group) and control group(Control I, II), then analyzed the temperature statically with student's t-test, ANOVA. Results : The temperature of six point on Straigt group was lower than that of Control I, but had no significant difference(p>0.05). The temperature of six point on Straigt group was lower than that of Control II. The descent of temperature on Lt. Pungji(風池, G20), Lt. Kyonjong(肩井, G21), Rt. Chonjong(天宗, SI11) had significance(p<0.05). There is no corelation between onset period and mean temperature of six points. Conclusions : Thermography represnets the presence of neck pain, but has no correlation with straight of cervical curvature.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.451-459
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• 2022

Purpose: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a common musculoskeletal problem that causes pain in and disability of masticatory muscles, the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ), and related structures. The purpose of this study was to compare pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) of masticatory muscles, cervical ranges of motion (ROM), and pelvic mobility during gait of subjects with or without TMD. Methods: In this study, pain thresholds and changes in the mobility of the cervical vertebrae and pelvis were measured in 25 patients with TMD and 25 healthy controls. Using a pressure algometer, the pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) of the masseter and temporalis muscles were measured in both groups. A gyroscope sensor with a mobile application was used to determine cervical ROM in the frontal and sagittal planes. A 3D-motion analysis system was used to evaluate pelvic mobility in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes during gait. Results: The TMD group showed significantly decreased PPTs of masseter and temporalis muscles compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Cervical ROM in flexion, extension, and lateral bending were significantly decreased in the TMD group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, antero-posterior pelvic tilt was significantly decreased in the TMD group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the current study suggest that there are close anatomical and functional relationships between TMD and muscle chains related to the cervical spine and pelvis. Therefore, more comprehensive body posture assessments, especially of painful areas, should be undertaken when studying TMD patients.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.152-156
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• 1991

Cervical radiculopathy has been recognized as a common cause of neck, shoulder, and arm pain. It was conventionally treated with rest, traction, cervical collars, manipulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with varying results. Surgery has not always been successful so the idea of epidural steroid injection was developed as in the case of lumbar epidural injections, for the treatment of low back pain and sciatica. Thirty one patients with evidence of cervical radiculopathy were treated with injections of triamcinolone acetate into the cervical epidural space. The effect of the steroid injection could be evaluated in twenty one patients who received epidural injections more than twice. No improvement was seen in 6 patients and 15 patients showed good to excellent pain relief for a week to over 6 months. Epidural steroid injection seems to have a positive role in the treatment of cervical radiculopathy.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.413-422
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• 2021

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate changes in the cervical and lumbar flexion-relaxation ratio, range of motion, pressure pain threshold, and perceived comfort following the wearing of a trunk brace during smartphone watching. Methods: To calculate the number of subjects for this study, an analysis with G^*Power was performed at a statistical power of 0.8, an effect size of 0.5, and a significance level of 0.05, based on the results of a preliminary experiment on five subjects. In total, 27 adult men and women were recruited who had been informed of the study's purpose and process and had agreed to participate. All subjects watched content on a smartphone for 20 minutes in the same posture and conditions while wearing and not wearing a trunk brace, and then their cervical and lumbar flexion-relaxation ratio, range of motion, pressure pain threshold, and perceived comfort were measured. Results: Compared to the non-wearing of a trunk brace, the wearing of a trunk brace resulted in a statistically significant smaller decline in cervical extension and right-side cervical rotation (p<0.05). When the subjects wore a trunk brace, their right- and left-side cervical and right-side lumbar pressure pain statistically significantly improved when compared to not wearing a trunk brace (p<0.05). They also perceived a significantly lowered level of comfort 20 minutes after wearing a trunk brace compared to immediately after wearing it (p<0.05). Conclusion: The trunk brace was effective in reducing declines in right-side cervical rotation and the occurrence of left- and right-side cervical and right-side lumbar pressure pain. The findings indicate the need to improve the perceived comfort of trunk braces.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.81-93
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• 2023

Purpose: The current case study focuses on identifying the effects of manual therapy and home self-therapeutic exercise including on mouth opening and pain relief in patients with continuous neck pain with myofascial temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) accompanied by headache induced by masticatory myalgia Subjects: The study participant was a 27-year-old woman who was treated a year ago for pain related to TMDs accompanied by a headache. Methods: Manual therapy of the cervical spine with upper cervical spine posterior-to-anterior mobilization (C1~C2), upper cervical spine flexion mobilization (C0~C2), upper cervical spine lateral flexion mobilization (C0~C1), upper cervical spine thrust manual therapy (C1~C2) and manual therapy of the temporomandibular joint and muscles with transverse medial accessory temporomandibular joint mobilization, manual therapies for the temporal, the masseter, and medial pterygoid muscles were performed twice a week for about 30 minutes for 4 weeks. This protocol included 3 sessions in total. The home self-therapeutic exercise was to be performed two to three times a day. Results: The values more improved MMO increased to 41.4 mm, left masseter muscle PPT to 2.9 kgf/cm², right masseter muscle PPT to 3.1 kgf/cm², KHIT-6 to 46 points, neck pain intensity (by NRS) to 2 points, headache frequency to per weeks, cervical kyphotic angle to -8.06%, and GCPS to grade 1 (low-intensity pain without pain-related disorder). Conclusion: Manual therapy and home self-therapeutic exercise can be helpful for mouth opening and pain relief in patients with myofascial TMDs accompanied by secondary headaches induced by masticatory myalgia.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.183-193
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the improvement in patients with lumbar, cervical or radiating pain to the extremity by means of acupotomy. Methods : We treated 5 patients who have a disease related with lumbar or cervical spine with acupotomy combined with oriental medical treatment. We checked numeric rating scale(NRS), oswestry low back pain disability index(ODI) or neck disability index(NDI), and range of motion(ROM). Results : NRS and ODI/NDI were decreased, and ROM improved at all cases. Conclusions : This study shows acupotomy has a meaningful effect when applied on lumbar and cervical spine.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.658-667
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was to identify the effect of Cervical Kyongrak Massage on Shoulder pain, shoulder Exercise Range and Mood in the elderly. Method: This study used a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design. Data were collected from 13 April to 30 June in 2003. There were 58 elderly subjects,(30 experimental group, 28 control group) in Pusan. The experimental group took Kyongrak Massage at Cervical Kyonghyul sites around neck and shoulder for 10 minutes daily during 5days. Result: In the experimental group, shoulder pain(t=-9.80, p=.000), shoulder exercise Range (Flexion t=3.10, p=.003; Abduction t=7.95, p=.000; External Rotation t=5.00, p=.000) and Mood(t=-9.80, p=.000) were significantly better than control group after Cervical Kyongrak Massage. Conclusion: These findings indicate that Cervical Kyongrak Massage may be an effective adjunct therapy for improving shoulder pain, shoulder exercise range and mood, and is considered as a independent and available nursing intervention for elderly.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.145-153
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• 2015

Purpose: The current study aims to identify the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on pain and grip strength in patients with cervical herniated intervertebral disc (HIVD) and provide effective interventions for such patients. Methods: Included in this study were 20 subjects (10 men, 10 women) in their 30s-50s who had been diagnosed with cervical HIVD. Intervention methods included PNF neck patterns, dynamic reversal of antagonists, and a combination of isotonics. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to measure pain and dynamometers were used to measure grip strength. Results: After four weeks of muscle strengthening exercises, neck pain was significantly reduced, and hand grip strength significantly increased. Conclusion: PNF can be utilized as an effective intervention to reduce the pain of patients with cervical HIVD and to increase grip strength.