title: Changes in pressure pain in the upper trapezius muscle, cervical range of motion, and the cervical flexion-relaxation ratio after overhead work.
abstract: This study examined the changes in pressure pain in the upper trapezius muscle, cervical range of motion, and cervical flexion-relaxation ratio after overhead work. 14 workers were recruited. Pressure pain in the upper trapezius muscle, active cervical range of motion, and cervical flexion-relaxation ratio were measured in all subjects once before and once after overhead work. The pressure-pain threshold of the left upper trapezius muscle was 8.6 ± 2.5 lb before overhead work and 7.3 ± 2.4 lb after overhead work; that of the right upper trapezius muscle was 8.8 ± 2.9 and 7.3 ± 2.8 lb, respectively, revealing a significant decrease in pressure-pain threshold with overhead work. All cervical range of motion measures decreased significantly with overhead work. The cervical flexion-relaxation ratio on the left side was 1.3 ± 0.2 before overhead work and 1.1 ± 0.2 after overhead work; the respective values for the right side were 1.4 ± 0.5 and 1.2 ± 0.3 before and after overhead work, revealing a significant decrease with overhead work. We postulate that overhead work can reduce the pressure-pain threshold in the upper trapezius muscle and cause changes in the cervical range of motion and cervical flexion-relaxation ratio.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Inje University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-je
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Duk-hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Jae-seop
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Won-gyu
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Yoo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053587:Arthrometry, Articular; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D011312:Pressure; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D064171:Superficial Back Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*