• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.124-133
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• 2024

Objective: This study aims to investigate the immediate effects of myofascial release and Duoball assisted self-relaxation (DASR) techniques on pain and muscle tension in patients experiencing chronic cervical pain. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: This study is a randomized controlled experimental study. Eighteen patients with chronic neck pain who met the selection criteria were randomly assigned to myofascial release group and myofascial release group using Duoball. Results: The frequency results for assessment muscle tension showed a decrease of about 10% in the suboccipital muscle, SCM, Pect m, UT, and LS in both the MFR and DASR groups, and the stiffness results showed a decrease in all muscles except the upper trapezius in the MFR group and the DASR group. All were found to decrease by about 10% in the suboccipital muscle, SCM, Pect m, UT, and LS, and the decrement results showed an increase of about 15% in the suboccipital muscle, SCM, Pect m, UT, and LS in both the MFR and DASR groups(p<0.05). Conclusions: In patients experiencing chronic neck pain, application of MFR and duoball assisted self relaxion was shown to be effective on pain and muscle tension. MFR is a non-pharmacological intervention method with few potential side effects and is considered a universal and easily applicable treatment method.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.2237-2243
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• 2020

Background: The myofascial release technique is known to be an effective technique for increasing posterior fascia flexibility in short hamstring syndrome (SHS) subjects. But therapeutic mechanism of myofascial relaxation remains unclear. Recently, the theory of autonomic nervous system domination has been raised, however, a proper study to test the theory has not been conducted. Objectives: To investigate whether the application of the myofascial release technique can induce changes in the autonomic nervous system and affect the secretion of stress hormones and myofascial relaxation. Design: Quasi-experimental study. Methods: Twenty-four subjects with SHS were randomly divided into two groups. In the experimental group, the suboccipital muscle inhibition (SMI) technique was applied to the subjects for 4 min in supine position, and in the control group, the subjects were lying in the supine position only. A forward flexion distance (FFD) was conducted, blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels were measured before and after the intervention and 30 min after intervention to determine myofascial relaxation and stress hormone levels. The evaluation was conducted separately in blind by an evaluator. Results: A FFD decreased in the experimental group, no change in cortisol was observed. On the contrary, a decrease in cortisol appeared in the control group after 30 minutes. Conclusion: The myofascial release technique is an effective treatment to increase the range of motion through posterior superior myofascial chain, but there is no evidence that myofascial release technique can control the autonomic nervous system.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.271-281
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• 2021

Purpose : This study aimed to apply muscle relaxation exercise and ultrasound therapy as an effective treatment method for tension headache patients by comparatively analyzing the muscle mechanical properties, neck disorder index, and headache impact test. Method : The subjects were classified into three groups based on the intervention received: the therapeutic ultrasound (n=15, group I), placebo therapeutic ultrasound combined with the suboccipital release (n=15, group II), and therapeutic ultrasound combined with suboccipital release (n=15, group III) groups. The intragroup and intergroup differences in muscle mechanical properties, neck disability index, and headache impact test were compared and analyzed. Result : The comparison and analyses of the changes in muscle tone and post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant intragroup decreases in the suboccipitalis and upper trapezius in groups I and III. Furthermore, statistically significant intergroup differences in the upper trapezius with a greater change in group III than in group II and suboccipitalis with greater changes in group III than in groups I and II were observed. The comparison and analyses of the changes in muscle stiffness and post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant intragroup decreases in the upper trapezius in group I and suboccipitalis in group III. Moreover, statistically significant intergroup differences in both muscles with greater changes in group III than in group II for both cases were observed. The comparison and analyses of the changes in the neck disability index and post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant intragroup decreases in all three groups and statistically significant intergroup differences with greater changes in group III than in groups I and II. The comparison and analyses of the changes in the headache impact test and post hoc analysis revealed statistically significant intragroup decreases in all three groups and a statistically significant intergroup difference with greater changes in group III than in groups I and II. Conclusion : The therapeutic ultrasound and suboccipital muscle release exercise effectively increased the flexibility of the muscles around the cervical vertebrae and reduced muscle tension and stiffness in tension-type headache patients.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.11
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• pp.4346-4353
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to estimate the cervical range of motion and the effects of massage and static stretching in their 20s of normal adult. One hundred participants(massage=50, stretching=50) with no musculoskeletal and nervous system problems volunteered for this study. Massage and static stretching were applied to sternocleidomstoid, scalenes, trapezius, semispinalis, splenius, suboccipital, multifidi and rotatores. Both groups received intervention for 3 times in a week. The time the intervention was applied was for 10minutes. Effleurage, petrissage and stripping technique was applied to massage group and static stretching technique was applied to stretching group. The cervical range of motion (CROM) instrument was used to measure eight cervical motions (suboccipital flexion, suboccipital extension, neck flexion and extension, and left and right lateral flexion, left and right rotation). As a result of making a statistical analysis of the data, the following findings were given: First, normal cervical range of motion revealed; suboccipital flexion($2.39^{\circ}$) and extension($38.36^{\circ}$), flexion($54.11^{\circ}$) and extension($69.39^{\circ}$), lateral flexion on left($43.50^{\circ}$) and right($41.28^{\circ}$), rotation on left($66.39^{\circ}$) and right($65.94^{\circ}$) in male and suboccipital flexion($5.14^{\circ}$) and extension($36.47^{\circ}$), flexion($55.92^{\circ}$) and extension($71.22^{\circ}$), lateral flexion on left($43.34^{\circ}$) and right($41.06^{\circ}$), rotation on left($69.38^{\circ}$) and right($68.63^{\circ}$) in female. Second, women had greater range of motions than men in suboccipital flexion, left and right rotation(p<0.05). Third, it showed significantly increasing cervical range of motion in all directions within groups following treatments but not between groups(p<0.05). Our results suggest that massage and static stretching are an appropriate intervention to increase cervical range of motion by muscle relaxation and stretching and may be provided a basis for future studies investigating the cervical range of motion.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.99-106
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of manipulation on the velocity of cerebral blood flow and level of pain in cervicogeinc headache patients. The velocity of cerebral blood flow of 30 cervicogeinc headache patients(male=15, female=15, age=$24.00{\pm}3.60$) and 33 normal subjects(male=15, female=18, age=$23.27{\pm}3.00$) was compared. The 30 cervicogeinc headache patients were divided into suboccipitalis relaxation group, cervical manipulation group, and placebo group, and each were given different interventions. The velocity of cerebral blood flow and pain level was measured before intervention, and 1, 2, 3 weeks after intervention. The velocity of cerebral blood flow was measured with the Transcranial Doppler(TCD), and pain level was measured with visual analog scale(VAS). Blood flow velocity of middle cerebral artery in cervicogeinc headache patients was slower than those in healthy subjects. Physical therapy intervention did not have significant effect on velocity of cerebral blood flow, but slowly decreased at intervention for pain level increased. The suboccipitalis relaxation group and cervical manipulation group showed significant effect in decreasing pain level compared to the placebo group(p<.05). Directly applied manipulation therapy in the neck area not only has effect on joint of cervical and soft tissue but also on blood vessels and nerves which pass the neck area, and because of those results of manual therapy seems to help recovery.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.55-70
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three relaxation techniques, namely, Static Stretching Exercise (SSE), Eccentric Contraction Exercise (ECE), and Suboccipital Muscle Release (SMR) on the flexibility and balance of the lower limb in adults with hamstring shortening. Methods: The participants were 45 adults in their 20s with hamstring shortening. They performed three exercises (i.e., SSE, ECE, and SMR) for two weeks. We measured flexibility, muscle tone and stiffness, proprioception, and balance before and after the intervention, applying each relaxation technique. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). The significance level was set at α=0.05. Results: Flexibility increased in the SSE, ECE, and SMR groups, with the SSE group showing the greatest improvement. Muscle tone and stiffness decreased in all groups, with the ECE group exhibiting the highest reduction. Proprioception increased in the SSE, ECE, and SMR groups, with SSE demonstrating the greatest enhancement. Balance also increased in all groups, with the ECE group showing the most pronounced improvement. Conclusion: Overall, all three relaxation techniques for hamstring shortening resulted in improved flexibility, muscle tone and stiffness, proprioception, and balance of the lower limb in adults with hamstring shortening. The findings of this study underscore the importance of selecting an appropriate technique according to the purpose of treatment and the condition of the patient.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.302-308
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• 2020

Objective: The endurance and strength of deep neck flexor (DNF) muscles have a major role on the function and stability of the cervical spine. In recent years, there has been a lack of research that have investigated the muscle tone of the superficial neck muscles. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of between contraction ratio of the DNF and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles, DNF endurance, and muscle tension of the neck muscles. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty-seven subjects (male=20, female=27) participated in this study. The muscle tone of the upper trapezius (UT), SCM, and suboccipital (SO) muscle was measured using a contact soft tissue tone-measuring instrument. For the contraction ratio of the SCM and longus colli muscle, the thickness of the relaxation and maximum contraction state of the SCM and longus colli muscles were assessed using a diagnostic ultrasound measuring instrument and a pressure biofeedback unit. The deep neck flexor endurance test (DNFET) was performed in a cranio-cervical flexion posture. The correlations between the measured variables were investigated. Results: The relationship between the DNFET and SO tone showed a significant negative correlation (p<0.05). The relationship between the DNFET and contraction ratio showed a significant positive correlation (p<0.01). There was no significant correlation between the DNFET and SCM and UT tone. Conclusions: This study confirmed that there is a relationship between DNF endurance, DNF activation, and SO tone. The information on the results of this study may be used as a reference that can be actively applied in the clinical environment.