Myofascial Treatment for Microcirculation in Patients with Postural Neck and Shoulder Pain.

Jian-Guo Bau,Shih-Chung Huang,Shyi-Kuen Wu,Tony Tung-Liang Lin,Bo-Wen Huang

doi:10.3390/diagnostics11122226

Jian-Guo Bau, Shih-Chung Huang + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics11122226

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Abstract

Vascular impairment is a crucial factor associated with chronic muscle pain, but relevant research from the microcirculatory aspect is lacking. Here, we investigated the differences in neck muscle microcirculation detected through laser-doppler flowmetry (LDF) and cervical biomechanics by a videofluoroscopic image in asymptomatic participants and patients with postural neck and shoulder pain. To understand the mechanism behind the effect of myofascial treatment, transverse friction massage (TFM) was applied and the immediate effects of muscular intervention on microcirculation were monitored. In total, 16 asymptomatic participants and 22 patients (mean age = 26.3 ± 2.4 and 25.4 ± 3.2 years, respectively) were recruited. Their neck muscle microcirculation and spinal image sequence were assessed. The differences in the baseline blood flow between the asymptomatic and patient groups were nonsignificant. However, the standard deviations in the measurements of the upper trapezius muscle in the patients were significantly larger (p < 0.05). Regarding the TFM-induced responses of skin microcirculation, the blood flow ratio was significantly higher in the patients than in the asymptomatic participants (p < 0.05). In conclusion, postintervention hyperemia determined through noninvasive LDF may be an indicator for the understanding of the mechanism underlying massage therapies and the design of interventions for postural pain.

Highlights

IntroductionPeople frequently complain about neck, shoulder, and back problems, especially when using a computer or smartphone while in an inappropriate posture for a long period
[28] In order to study the differences in the effect of transverse friction massage on microcirculation between asymptomatic participants and patients with postural neck and shoulder pain, a small-scale study was conducted and we found the mean blood flow ratio of asymptomatic subjects and patients were 1.2 and 2.6 respectively; the standard deviation of the two groups were 0.5 and 2.0, respectively
To insights into cervical biomechanics related to postural neck neck and and shoulder painmuscular and muscular intervention from the microcirculatory the and restshoulder pain and intervention from the microcirculatory aspect, aspect, the resting postintervention microcirculation in the major neck muscles were monitored

Summary

Introduction

People frequently complain about neck, shoulder, and back problems, especially when using a computer or smartphone while in an inappropriate posture for a long period. In such a position, the head moves forward, which increases the weight of the head supported by the neck muscles, and this may lead to pathological changes in the head and neck regions [1]. The static posture of the neck and shoulders has been frequently assumed to be a possible risk factor for work-related neck and upper-limb disorders. The physical requirements at the workplace, e.g., work requiring prolonged static posture and highly repetitive work may be some of the risk factors for increased musculoskeletal disorders over the neck and shoulder areas [1]

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