Cervical Spine & Neck Pain

Vertebral artery dissection as a cause of cervical radiculopathy

Asian Spine J. 2013 Dec;7(4):335-8. doi: 10.4184/asj.2013.7.4.335. Epub 2013 Nov 28. Silbert BI, Khangure M2, Silbert PL. Abstract The acute onset of neck pain and arm weakness is most commonly due to cervical radiculopathy or inflammatory brachial plexopathy. Rarely, extracranial vertebral artery dissection may cause radiculopathy in the absence of brainstem ischemia. We describe a […]

Spinal Manipulative Therapy and Exercise for Seniors with Chronic Neck Pain

Michele Maiers, DC, MPH The Spine Journal: Available online 16 November 2013: In Press Abstract Background Context Neck pain, common among the elderly population, has considerable implications on health and quality of life. Evidence supports the use of spinal manipulative therapy and exercise to treat neck pain; however, no studies to date have evaluated the […]

What is the best screening test for depression in chronic spinal pain patients?

Yun Hee Choi, Ph.D The Spine Journal: Available online 16 November 2013: In Press Abstract Background Context High prevalence rates of depression have been found in chronic spinal disorder (CSD) patients. As a result, the assessment of depression has become an increasingly important component in understanding CSD using a biopsychosocial perspective. Standardized diagnostic criteria, such […]

Short-term usual chiropractic care for spinal pain

Walker BF,et al. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2013 Nov 15;38(24):2071-8. doi: 10.1097/01.brs.0000435032.73187.c7. Affiliation *School of Health Professions †School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Australia; and ‡School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Abstract STUDY DESIGN: Parallel-group randomized controlled trial. OBJECTIVE: Establish the short-term effectiveness of chiropractic therapy for spinal pain compared […]

An ICON Overview on Physical Modalities for Neck Pain and Associated Disorders

Graham N, et al. Open Orthop J. 2013 Sep 20;7:440-60. Abstract INTRODUCTION: Neck pain is common, can be disabling and is costly to society. Physical modalities are often included in neck rehabilitation programs. Interventions may include thermal, electrotherapy, ultrasound, mechanical traction, laser and acupuncture. Definitive knowledge regarding optimal modalities and dosage for neck pain management […]

Minimal clinically important change of the Neck Disability Index and the Numerical Rating Scale for patients with neck pain

Pool JJ Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2007 Dec 15;32(26):3047-51. Abstract STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, single-cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To assess the minimal clinically important change (MCIC) on the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain in patients with neck pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Both measurement instruments are frequently used in research […]

The orthotic treatment of acute and chronic disease of the cervical and lumbar spine

Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2013 Nov 1;110(44):737-42. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2013.0737. Zarghooni K, Beyer F, Siewe J, Eysel P. Abstract BACKGROUND: Orthoses are external aids that are often used to treat pain and diseases affecting the spine, such as lumbago, whiplash, and disc herniation. In this review, we assess the effectiveness and complications of orthotic treatment for typical […]

Is there relationship between temporomandibular disorders and head and cervical posture?

A systematic review Rocha CP,et al. J Oral Rehabil. 2013 Nov;40(11):875-81. doi: 10.1111/joor.12104. Epub 2013 Oct 7. Abstract The objective of this systematic review was to find sufficient evidence to deny or accept the association between the head and cervical posture and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), and thus assist health professionals in the evaluation and treatment […]

Patients with non-specific neck disorders commonly report upper limb disability

W.H. Osborn, R.N. Manual Therapy Volume 18, Issue 6 , Pages 492-497, December 2013 Abstract Patients with neck disorders can report difficulties with functional use of their upper limb because of their neck pain. Yet, there is little information on the frequency and specifically, the nature of these upper limb activities. This study surveyed patients […]

Increased Forward Head Posture and Restricted Cervical Range of Motion in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Authors: Ana I. De-La-Llave-Rincón, PT1, César Fernández-De-Las-PeÑas, PT, PhD1, Domingo Palacios-CeÑa, MSc2, Joshua A. Cleland, PT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT3,  AFFILIATIONS: 1 Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain; Clinical Researcher, Esthesiology Laboratory of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain. 2 Professor, Department of Health Sciences II, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain. 3 Professor, Department of […]

Effects of thoracic kyphosis and forward head posture on cervical range of motion in older adults

June Quek Manual Therapy Volume 18, Issue 1 , Pages 65-71, February 2013 Abstract It is unclear how age-related postural changes such as thoracic spine kyphosis influence cervical range-of-motion (ROM) in patients with cervical spine dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to explore the mediating effects of forward head posture (FHP) on the relationship […]

Correlational Analysis of neck/shoulder Pain and Low Back Pain with the Use of Digital Products, Physical Activity and Psychological Status among Adolescents in Shanghai

Zhi Shan Citation: Shan Z, Deng G, Li J, Li Y, Zhang Y, et al. (2013) Correlational Analysis of neck/shoulder Pain and Low Back Pain with the Use of Digital Products, Physical Activity and Psychological Status among Adolescents in Shanghai. PLoS ONE 8(10): e78109. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0078109 Abstract Purpose This study investigates the neck/shoulder pain (NSP) and […]

Endurance and fatigue characteristics in the neck muscles during sub-maximal isometric test in patients with cervical radiculopathy

Eur Spine J. 2014 Mar;23(3):590-8. doi: 10.1007/s00586-013-3060-6. Epub 2013 Oct 17. Halvorsen M Abstract PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare myoelectric manifestation in neck muscle endurance and fatigue characteristics during sub-maximal isometric endurance test in patients with cervical radiculopathy and asymptomatic subjects. An additional aim was to explore associations between primary neck […]

Disc Herniations in the National Football League

Gray, Benjamin L. MD; Buchowski, Jacob M. MD, MS; Bumpass, David B. MD; Lehman, Ronald A. Jr. MD; Mall, Nathan A. MD; Matava, Matthew J. MD Spine . 38(38):1934–1938, 15 October 2013. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3182a67678 Abstract Study Design. Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database. Objective. To determine the overall incidence, location, and type of disc […]

Intradiscal Pressure Changes during Manual Cervical Distraction

A Cadaveric Study Gudavalli MR, et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:954134. doi: 10.1155/2013/954134. Epub 2013 Aug 20. Abstract The objective of this study was to measure intradiscal pressure (IDP) changes in the lower cervical spine during a manual cervical distraction (MCD) procedure. Incisions were made anteriorly, and pressure transducers were inserted into each […]

Exploring the clinical course of neck pain in physical therapy

A longitudinal study Walton DM, et al. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013 Sep 18. pii: S0003-9993(13)00909-X. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2013.09.004. [Epub ahead of print] Abstract OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term trajectory of recovery from mechanical neck pain, and predictors of trajectory. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal cohort study with 5 repeated measurements over 4 weeks. SETTING: Community-based physiotherapy clinics […]

The working mechanism of manual therapy in participants with chronic tension-type headache

Castien R,et al. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2013 Oct;43(10):693-9. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2013.4868. Epub 2013 Sep 9. Abstract STUDY DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study. OBJECTIVE: To explore the working mechanism of manual therapy, we investigated whether 3 cervical spine variables were mediators of the effect of manual therapy on headache frequency. Background Manual therapy has been shown […]

The effect of myofascial neck pain on postural control: Visual deprivation

Otadi K, et al. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2013 Jan 1;26(4):375-80. doi: 10.3233/BMR-130395. Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the standing balance (with open and closed eyes) on rigid surface in women with myofascial neck pain syndromes. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This study was carried out in single and double […]

Paradigm shift in manual therapy? Evidence for a central nervous system component in the response to passive cervical joint mobilisation

Schmid A, et al. Man Ther. 2008 Oct;13(5):387-96. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2007.12.007. Epub 2008 Mar 3. Affiliation Uniklinik Balgrist, Department of Physiotherapy, Forchstrasse 340, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland. anninaschmid@hotmail.com Abstract Segmental neurological modulation, neural hysteresis and biomechanical effects have been proposed as mechanisms underpinning the effects of manual therapy. An increasing number of studies hypothesise activation of the […]

Alterations in Cortical and Cerebellar Motor Processing in Subclinical Neck Pain Patients Following Spinal Manipulation

Julian Daligadu, MHSc Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics: Volume 36, Issue 8 , Pages 527-537, October 2013 Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was investigate whether there are alterations in cerebellar output in a subclinical neck pain (SCNP) group and whether spinal manipulation before motor sequence learning might restore the baseline functional relationship […]