• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.143-153
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• 2024

Purpose : Forward head posture (FHP), characterized by the anterior positioning of the head relative to the spine, is a common postural deviation that can lead to neck pain, reduced mobility, and muscle imbalances. Recently, high-frequency deep heat therapy (HFDT) has been gaining attention for the intervention of FHP. This research aims to investigate the efficacy of HFDT in comparison to instrument assisted soft-tissue mobilization (IASTM) for treating FHP among 30 young adults. Methods : Participants were randomly assigned to either the HFDT or IASTM group. The study focused on examining changes in neck joint mobility, pain thresholds, rounded shoulder distance, lower trapezius muscle strength, and neck dysfunction. Measurements were taken before and after the interventions. Paired t-tests were used for within-group analyses, and independent t-tests were employed for between-group comparisons. The statistical significance level α was set to .05. Results : Statistically significant improvements were observed across all measured parameters in both groups (p<.05). The HFDT group showed significantly greater enhancements in neck joint mobility, pain thresholds, rounded shoulder distance, lower trapezius muscle strength, and neck dysfunction parameters. Specifically, HFDT was more effective than IASTM in improving neck joint mobility, right upper trapezius pain threshold, left rounded shoulder distance, and right lower trapezius strength. The only exceptions were neck flexion range of motion, left upper trapezius pain threshold, right rounded shoulder distance, and left lower trapezius strength, where no significant differences were found between the groups. Conclusion : The findings suggest that HFDT, by combining the benefits of high-frequency therapy and manual therapy, effectively alleviates upper trapezius muscle pain and tension, enhances neck mobility, and strengthens lower trapezius muscles. Thus, HFDT could be considered a valuable intervention for clinicians aiming to address FHP and associated musculoskeletal problems.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2008

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a disease-specific exercise (DSE) on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function and neck mobility in TMJ dysfunction associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Ten AS patients (seven males and three females) with TMJ dysfunction were recruited for this study. The DSE included exercises to correct head and neck posture and to improve the flexibility of the neck and TMJs. The patients attended treatment three times a week for 4 weeks, averaging 1 hour each session. Assessments were performed pretreatment, posttreatment, and 6 weeks after the completion of treatment. General physical status was assessed by four clinical measures (tragus-to-wall distance, modified Schober test, lumbar side flexion, and intermalleolar distance), the Bath ankylosing spondylitis function index (BASFI), and the Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index. The main outcome measures included TMJ function (craniomandibular index (CMI)), and neck mobility (flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral rotation). None of the measures of general physical status, with the exception of BASFI, were significant1y different between the pretreatment, posttreatment, and 6-week follow-up (p>.05). However, CMI and all neck movements, except for extension, significant1y improved after the treatment (p<.05). These improvements were maintained during the follow-up period. The DSE used in the present study seems to be a clinical1y useful method for managing patients with symptoms from the stomatognathic system in AS. Further studies with more subjects and longer treatment times, including the follow-up period, will be conducted to validate these findings.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.39-51
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of neck and shoulder self-stretching exercise using audiovisual media on neck pain, postural alignment, and joint position error in women with chronic neck pain. Methods: The subjects included 20 women that gave consent to participate in the study voluntarily. They performed the self-stretching exercises using audiovisual media was carried out 20 minutes 5 times a week during 3 weeks. Neck disability index (NDI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to measure the functional disability and pain, A pressure pain threshold was measured using an algometer, and a cervical range of motion (CROM) measurement tool was used to measure the range of motion and error of proprioceptive position sense of the cervical spine. To assess posture alignment, forward head angle (FHA), forward shoulder angle (FSA) were measured using image J software. Results: The neck pain intensity was statistically significantly within group (p<.05). Neck and shoulder functional disability were a statistically significant difference within group (p<.05). Splenius capitis and upper trapezius pressure pain threshold were statistically significant difference in within group (p<.05). The postural alignment was statistically significantly within group (p<.05). The cervical range of motion in neck extension, right and left lateral flexion were statistically significantly within group (p<.05). The joint position error in neck flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion decreased statistically significantly within group (p<.05). Conclusion: Self-stretching exercise using audiovisual media increased the mobility of the neck, decreased neck pain and joint position error, and improved posture alignment. As a result, there was a positive effect by applying the self-stretching exercise using audiovisual media to people with neck pain. Based on this, it is thought that it can be used as the basis for research related to home training programs for healthy self-management.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.130-133
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• 2016

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a connective tissue disease involving the larynx in 30 % of the patients. Foreign body sensation, hoarseness, and cough are common symptoms in laryngeal involvement. An urgent tracheostomy is required when acute airway obstruction occurs in case of bilateral vocal fold paralysis. The most common cause of bilateral vocal fold paralysis in RA patients is a cricoarytenoid joint arthritis. Laryngeal nerve degeneration is rare cause of bilateral vocal fold paralysis in RA patients. In this case report, an emergent tracheostomy was performed on a 64-years-old male patient with acute dyspnea, and concurrent involvement of RA on laryngeal nerve and cricoarytenoid joint was revealed by laryngeal electromyography and histopathology. The vocal fold mobility was restored after 3-months medical treatment.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.274-284
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• 2024

Background: Mild pain can affect movement leading to disability, and impaired neck proprioception. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been recommended as an intervention for chronic and subacute neck pain with mobility deficits. Objective: The purpose was to investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for improving cervical spine proprioception and reducing pain, anxiety, and disability in young adults with mild neck pain. Methods: Twenty-two participants were recruited between the ages of 20-40 years old and randomized into control and intervention groups. Participants had chronic mild neck pain and not receiving pain treatment or medication, and did not have electrotherapy contraindications. The intervention group received a 30-minute TENS intervention and were instructed in a 2-week daily home-based TENS intervention. Outcome measures were visual analog scale, neck disability index, state-trait anxiety inventory, active range of motion (AROM) and joint position error (JPE). Results: Participants reported reduction in pain, disability, and anxiety post 30-minute intervention. Increase in right lateral flexion AROM and decrease in mean JPE extension post 30-minute intervention. Post 2-week intervention, reduction in pain, an increase in right lateral flexion AROM, and a reduction in mean JPE extension were also detected. Conclusion: People with chronic mild neck pain had a reduction in pain, anxiety, and disability post 30-minutes TENS treatment. Reduction in anxiety and disability with TENS treatment suggests that TENS may be beneficial in reducing pain, anxiety, and improving neck proprioception in young adults with mild neck pain.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.390-394
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• 2022

A 6-year-old, 36.5 kg castrated male Golden Retriever presented for revision surgery for left total hip replacement. The patient underwent removal of the cup and head implants due to unmanageable prosthetic hip dislocation, despite revision surgery. On physical examination, the dog showed persistent weight-bearing lameness after exercise of the left hindlimb with mild muscle atrophy. Radiographic examination revealed dorsolateral displacement of the femur with a remnant stem and bony proliferation around the cranial and caudal acetabulum rims. The surgical plan was to apply the dual mobility cup to increase the range of motion and jump distance to correct soft tissue elongation and laxity caused by a prolonged period of craniodorsal dislocation of the femur. The preparation of the acetabulum for cup fixation was performed with a 29-mm reamer, and the 29.5-mm outer shell was fixed with five 2.4-mm cortical screws. The head and medium neck of the dual-mobility system were placed on the cup, and the hip joint was reduced between the neck and stem. The dog exhibited slight weight bearing on a controlled leash walk the day after surgery. The patient was discharged 2 weeks postoperatively without any complications. Six months postoperatively, osseointegration and a well-positioned cup implant were observed, and the dog showed excellent limb function without hip dislocation until 18 months of phone call follow-up.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.2119-2125
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• 2020

Background: Adults with forward head posture (FHP) often suffer from thoracic hyperkyphosis and thoracic dysfunction, and including reduction of the craniovertebral angle (CV angle) and tightening of the superficial neck muscles. In order to treat thoracic dysfunction, interventions aimed at improving thoracic mobility are necessary. Objectives: To examine the effects of maitland manual mobilization therapy on the thoracic spine in adults with FHP. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty adults with FHP who met the selection criteria were randomized to the thoracic multiple joint mobilization (TMJM; n=15) group and the thoracic general joint mobilization (TGJM; n=15) group. Joint mobilizations were performed for 23 minutes a day for 4 weeks continuously, two times per week. Outcome measures were ImageJ, BTS FREE EMG 1000, neck disability Index (NDI). Results: Although changes in the left sternocleidomastoid muscle activity and NDI scores over time between the two groups differed, other variables were noted only changes observed over time. Muscle activity in the right sternocleidomastoid increased again in the TGJM group post-intervention and 2 weeks after the end of the experiment, but changes in other variables were retained or improved, confirming the lasting effects of thoracic joint mobilization. Conclusion: Thoracic multiple joint mobilization may be recommended as a more effective intervention for adults with FHP.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.133-136
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• 2016

Facial abscess is a suppurative condition that is caused by infection and that its infected materials built up within the loose connective tissues or a fascial space of the head and neck. Facial abscess should be treated with a caution since it can make threat to patient's life. When pus collects near masticatory muscles, it may lead to masticatory muscle disorder reducing the range of mouth opening and the mobility of jaw. The authors review an uncommon case of facial abscess which occurred in temporal muscle and induced mouth opening limitation.