• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.127-135
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of treatment with Sacro-Occipital Technique block on musculoskeletal pain caused by traffic accident by analysis of the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), Neck Disability Index(NDI), Pain Disability Index(PDI), Oswestry Low back Pain Disability Index(ODI) and Short Form - McGill Pain Qusetionnaire (SF-MPQ). Methods : This study carried out on 18 patients who have received hospital treatment in Daejeon Univ. Dun-San Oriental Hospital. Control group got acupunture-therapy, herbal medication, physical therapy and Experimental group got all the therapies and treatment with Sacro-Occipital Technique block. We measured VAS, NDI, PDI, ODI and SF-MPQ on 1st day and 7 days later. Results : After being treated by our methods, Both group were improved in VAS, NDI, PDI, ODI, and SF-MPQ. Especially, Experimental group was significantly meaningful improved in VAS, PDI, and ODI. Control group was significantly meaningful improved in VAS and SF-MPQ. But, differences between control and experimental group were nonsignificant. Conclusions : The results suggest that treatment with Sacro-Occipital Technique block is not significantly meaningful but gives a positive impact on musculoskeletal pain caused by traffic accident. But further long term study in a large scale is needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.85-91
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effect of indirect moxibustion treatment for patients with neck pain caused by whiplash injury. Methods : From October 2010 to October 2011, 85 patients with neck pain caused by whiplash injury who admitted to Semyung oriental medical hospital were divided into two groups. Group A was treated by general acupuncture, group B by indirect moxibustion and general acupuncture. The efficacy of treatment was measured by visual analog scale(VAS) scores and neck disability index(NDI) scores of before and after 5 days to start treatment. Results : 1. Both group A and B represented effective improvement in VAS and NDI of neck pain caused by whiplash injury. 2. Group B has more statistical effect than group A. Conclusions : Through this research, indirect moxibustion treatment is considered to be effective reducing pain for patients with neck pain caused by whiplash injury.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.37-51
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• 2017

Objectives This study was designed to identify the effect of acupuncture combined with wooden neck pillow self-exercise program (WSP). Methods 25 eligible subjects with chronic neck pain were recruited from September 2015 to August 2016. Subjects were treated by acupuncture twice a week for 4 weeks, also were educated WSP and exercised every day for 4 weeks. They were assessed using PI-NRS, NDI and the maximum muscle strength of deep cervical flexor muscles (DCF) before and after treatment. Also the Cobb's angle (C1-C7), Ishihara index, Park method were assessed for evaluating the radiographical changes. Variables were compared using paired t-test. And correlates analysis was used for analyzing relationship between differentials in the maximum muscle strength of DCF and differentials in cervical spine curvature measurement methods. Results Among the 25 subjects, 4 subjects were lost to follow-up or excluded in accordance with the criteria. Significant differences on NRS, NDI and the maximum muscle strength of DCF were seen after treatment (p<0.001). In radiological finding, cervical spine curvature measurement methods were significantly increased (p<0.001, p<0.05, p<0.05). Differentials in the maximum muscle strength of DCF significantly correlates to differentials in Ishihara index (R=0.479, p<0.05). Conclusions Acupuncture combined with WSP may decrease neck pain intensity and associated disability, and also increase the muscle strength of DCF and cervical lordosis, in patients with chronic neck pain. Especially, Improving the muscle strength of DCF has a relationship with improving Ishihara index. However, due to the design of this study, this treatment can not be compared with other treatments. Future randomized project should be needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.655-666
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The main objective of this study is observing the effects of the functional postural trunk exercise (FPTE) on deep cranio-cervical flexor (CCF) muscle endurance applied on neck pain patients suffering from the acute whiplash-association disorder (WAD). METHODS: The study was tested with 47 patients with neck pain. All patients were equally treated with the ordinary therapy, only experimental group (n=23) was treated with FPTE: assumption of an upright lumbo-pelvic and spinal postural position, adding a neck lengthening manoeuvre in addition. Patients attended physical therapy for 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, neck disability index (NDI), range of motion (ROM), were recorded both before and after the intervention. Also muscle activity in the CCF test was employed to analyze the changes between before and after. RESULT: After 4 weeks of training intervention, a remarkable increase in muscle endurance, rotation, extension ROM (p<.05) and decrease in pain and NDI (p<.05) in both groups. Further, the differences between groups were muscle endurance (F=60.350, p<.01), pain, and the left rotation ROM (p<.05). CONCLUSION: From the results, the experimental group had significant the increase in muscle endurance, and the significant decrease in pain. Whilst further research in this category is necessary, these observations suggest that applying exercise in early diagnosis can be of help to treat the neck pain patients suffering from the WAD.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.343-347
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• 2014

Objective : To evaluate the relationship between postoperative increase in intervertebral disc space height (IVH) and posterior axial neck in cases of degenerative cervical disease treated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Methods : A total of 155 patients who underwent ACDF with more than 1 year follow up were included. Radiologically, IVH and interfacet distance (IFD) of the operated segment were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. We clinically evaluated neck and arm pains according to visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and assessed neck disability index (NDI) scores preoperatively, postoperatively, at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. The relationship between radiological parameters, and clinical scores were analyzed using a regression analysis. Results : The mean increase in IVH was 2.62 mm, and the mean increase in IFD was 0.67 mm. The VAS scores for neck pain preoperatively, postoperatively, and at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year postoperatively were 4.46, 2.11, 2.07, 1.95, and 1.29; those for arm pain were 5.89, 3.24, 3.20, 3.03, and 2.18. The NDI scores were improved from 18.52 to 7.47. No significant relationship was observed between the radiological evaluation results regarding the increase in intervertebral height or interfacet distance and clinical changes in VAS or NDI scores. Conclusion : The increase in intervertebral space or interfacet distance by the insertion of a large graft material while performing ACDF for the treatment of degenerative cervical disease was not related with the change in VAS scores for neck and arm pains and NDI scores postoperatively and during the follow-up period.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.131-140
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• 2014

Objectives This study was aimed at comparing clinical effectiveness among trigger point treatment, Self-exercise treatment, trigger point - self-exercise cooperative treatment for neck pain caused by traffic accidents. Methods 63 patients with neck pain by traffic accidents were divided into 3 groups. Different types of treatments were carried out for each groups ; group A with trigger point, group B with self-exercise, group C with trigger point and self-exercise cooperative treatment. 3 groups were also treated with general acupuncture and herb-medicine treatment. Pain threshold, visual analogue scale (VAS), and neck disability index (NDI) were checked on a daily basis. SPSS ver. 18.0 for Windows was used for analysis of data. The effectiveness of treatment of each groups were verified by using paired test and one-way repeated-measures ANOVA test, and the comparison of VAS, NDI and pain threshold were demonstrated by independent samples t-test. Results 3 groups all showed significant difference in pain threshold, VAS and NDI after 8 days later. Group C showed more improvement in pain threshold, VAS and NDI than shown in group A and B. In the first period (from pre-treatment to 4th day treatment) group C showed significant difference in NDI and pain threshold but not in VAS as compared to group A and B. In the second period (from 4th treatment to 8th day treatment), Group C showed significant difference in pain threshold, VAS and NDI as compared to group A and B. Conclusions Trigger point - self-exercise cooperative treatment is proved to be more helpful to improve the unstability and reduce neck pain than trigger point treatment or self-exercise treatment only, therefore eventually leading to better satisfaction for patients with neck pain.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.107-116
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of these clinical cases is to evaluate the effectiveness of Korean medical therapy on neck pain with cervical syringomyelia Methods : These are case reports on 2 patients admitted to Daejeon jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine with neck pain and diagnosis of cervical syringomyelia by Cervical spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging, were observed during hospitalization. They were analyzed according to pain and Cervical spine Range of Motion. All patients received a combination of treatments including Acupunture, Chuna, Pharmacopunture, Herbal medication. Pain scales(Number Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index) and Cervical spine Range of Motion were used during hospitalization. Results : After 3 weeks for these patients, Cervical spine Number Rating Scales decreased from 7 to 3 and from 9 to 4 respectively. And Trapezius muscle Number Rating Scales decreased from 7 to 3 and from 2 to 1 respectively. Also Cervical spine Range of Motion improved to the normal. Conclusions : Korean medical therapy might be effective in reducing pain and improving range of motion for patients with neck pain. And we hope this study further confirmed the effectiveness of Korean medical therapy on neck pain with cervical syringomyelia.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.1897-1902
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• 2019

Background: Tension-type headaches, which make up the highest proportion of headaches, are prone to develop into chronic tension-type headaches (CTTH). The characteristic of CTTH in patients is that the active myofascial trigger point (ATrP) which causes pain in the muscles of the back of the head is increased, compared to the normal headache and moves the head position forward. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of myofascial release (MFR) and posture correction in effectively improving neck function and sleep quality in the symptoms of CTTH patients. Design: Observer-blind study Methods: To reduce ATrP, MFR was applied and exercise was also applied to correct posture. The subjects of this study were 48 individuals randomly divided into three groups; The MFR group using the MFR technique; The MFR with exercise group subject to both the MFR technique and forward head position correction exercises (MFREx), and the control group. MFR and MFREx groups were given the relevant interventions twice a week for four consecutive weeks, and went through the number ATrPs, range of motion (ROM) of neck, Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before and after the intervention. A physical therapist, who was fully familiar with the measuring methods of the equipment, was the measurer and not aware of the target's condition was blinded to take measurements only before and after intervention. Results: There was a significant improvement in the ATrP, Neck ROM, NDI and PSQI in the group of patients to whom the MFR technique and MFREx were applied. MFREx was more effective in increasing neck mobility. Conclusions: According to this study, the application of MFR is effective in improving neck movement and sleep quality in chronic tension headache patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.117-123
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• 2020

Purpose : VDT (visual display terminal syndrome) can affect individuals who monitor or who work or play using video screens, including those of smartphones. In general, headache symptoms from overuse of these screens can appear due to eye fatigue, muscle pain in the joints of wrists or fingers, and muscle pain in the neck or shoulders. Many studies in the literature have supported standards that seek to prevent these symptoms. The incidence of musculoskeletal diseases caused by the use of smartphones is expected to increase rapidly, particularly among children and young adults, and these diseases are expected to develop into a societal problem. Therefore, in this study we investigate whether tension headaches that develop from smartphone usage can affect forward neck posture, neck pain, and quality of life. Methods : A total of 93 students from University participated in this study. We divided participants into two groups, those with tension headaches (n = 25) and those without (n = 68) and took forward neck measurements. Headaches were classified according to criteria from the International Headache Society and involved bilateral headache position, quality of pressing or tightening pain, mild or moderate pain intensity, and none due to daily physical activity. We surveyed participants using the smartphone addiction diagnosis questionnaire, the Neck Disability Index (NDI), the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), and the Quality of Life Questionnaire. Results : Although we found no significant differences in tension headaches due to smartphone addiction diagnosis (p = 0.25), SF-36 life quality assessment (p = 0.06), and cranio-vertebral angle (p = 0.07), we found significant differences from the HIT-6 and the NDI (p <.05). Conclusion : Tension headaches are not correlated with smartphone addiction, quality of life, and forward neck angle but do have a correlation with the degree of cervical dysfunction and the effects of the headaches.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.23-34
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• 2022

Purpose : This study examined the effects of pain, neck dysfunction, psychosocial level, headache impact test (HIT), postural alignment, and trapezius muscle tone of the complex exercise program using dynamic taping in patients with tension headache and chronic neck pain with forward head posture. Methods : The design of this is a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Thirty-four patients with chronic neck pain were screened using a randomized assignment program and assigned to experimental group (n=17) and control group (n=17). Both groups underwent a complex exercise program. In addition, the experimental group dynamic taping was applied to the upper trapezius muscle. All interventions were applied three times per week for four weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS), the neck disability index (NDI), short form-12 health survey questionnaire (SF-12), Headache impact test-6 (HIT-6), Craniovertebral angle (CVA), Cranial rotation angle (CRA), upper trapezius muscle tone were compared to evaluate the effect on intervention. Results : Both groups showed significant differences before and after the intervention in VAS, NDI, SF-12, HIT-6, and CVA, CRA (p<.05). In addition, significant differences in NDI and upper trapezius muscle tone were observed between the experimental group and control group (p<.05). Conclusion : A complex exercise program using dynamic taping for patients with tension headache and chronic neck pain with forward head posture are effective method with clinical significance in improving the function and reducing upper trapezius muscle tone.