Human neck muscles have a complex multi-layered architecture. The role and neural control of these neck muscles were examined in nine seated subjects performing three series of isometric neck muscle contractions: i) 50 N contractions in eight fixed horizontal directions, ii) 25 N contractions and iii) 50 N contractions, both with a continuously changing horizontal force direction. Activity in t...

OBJECTIVES To compare mechanical activity (deformation and deformation rate) of the dorsal neck muscles between individuals with longstanding symptoms after anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) surgery and healthy controls. DESIGN Preliminary cross-sectional study. SETTING Neurosurgery clinic. PARTICIPANTS Ten individuals {mean age 60 [standard deviation (SD) 7.1]} who had un...

[Purpose] This study aimed to simultaneously investigate the activities of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and scalenus anterior muscle, which are agonists of neck and breathing accessory muscles, by implementing breathing exercises. [Subjects and Methods] Thirteen subjects were selected for the experimental group, which performed feedback respiratory exercises with McKenzie exercises, and 12 su...

Human neck muscles have a complex multi-layered architecture. The role and neural control of these neck muscles were examined in nine seated subjects performing three series of isometric neck muscle contractions: 50-N contractions in eight fixed horizontal directions, 25-N contractions, and 50-N contractions, both with a continuously changing horizontal force direction. Activity in the left ste...

BACKGROUND Nonspecific neck pain can cause considerable suffering, possible disability and reductions in quality of life and productivity. The aim of the proposed study is to evaluate the immediate effect of acupuncture on pain, cervical range of motion and electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius muscle in patients with nonspecific neck pain. METHODS/DESIGN A total of 12 patients wi...

[Purpose] This study investigated the effect of sleep posture on neck muscle activity. [Subjects and Methods] The study recruited 20 healthy subjects, who were positioned in three supine sleeping positions: both hands at sides, both hands on the chest, and dominant hand on the forehead. The activities of the scalene and upper trapezius muscles bilaterally were measured by surface electromyograp...

INTRODUCTION The neck is an interesting structure, because the cervical spine is a complex mechanical system with many degrees of freedom. The multiple muscles of the cervical spine act to support and move the head in three-dimensional space. Work-related neck pain is a common problem in society [1], and changes in motor control of the cervical spine have been documented in people with neck pai...

Objective: to demonstrate the effectiveness of combination of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy and muscle energy technique on pain, range of motion, and neck function of the individuals with active trigger points of upper trapezius muscle. Method: Fifty-four (54) participants with active TrPs of upper trapezius muscle were participated and randomly divided into three groups. Group A (...

Recent studies have described a phenomenon wherein the onset of a peripheral visual stimulus elicits short-latency (<100 ms) stimulus-locked recruitment (SLR) of neck muscles in nonhuman primates (NHPs), well before any saccadic gaze shift. The SLR is thought to arise from visual responses within the intermediate layers of the superior colliculus (SCi), hence neck muscle recordings may reflect ...