Cervical Spine & Neck Pain

Whiplash injury results in sustained impairments of cervical muscle function: A one-year prospective, controlled study – Full Text

J Rehabil Med. 2018 Jun 15;50(6):548-555. doi: 10.2340/16501977-2348. Krogh S, Kasch H. Abstract OBJECTIVE: To investigate the temporal development of neck muscle function following whiplash injuries. DESIGN: A 1-year prospective, controlled observational study. SUBJECTS: A total of 141 individuals exposed to whiplash injury due to rear-end vehicle collisions and 40 age- and sex-matched controls with […]

Noninvasive Nonpharmacological Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review [Internet]

Chronic low back pain: At short term, massage, yoga, and psychological therapies (primarily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) (strength of evidence [SOE]: moderate) and exercise, acupuncture, spinal manipulation, and multidisciplinary rehabilitation (SOE: low) were associated with slight improvements in function compared with usual care or inactive controls. Except for spinal manipulation, these interventions also improved pain. Effects […]

Do findings identified on magnetic resonance imaging predict future neck pain? A systematic review

The Spine Journal Volume 18, Issue 5, May 2018, Pages 880-891 Laura Hill DPT Abstract Background Context Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to identify pathology contributing to neck pain. However, the importance of findings on MRI remains unclear. Purpose We aimed to investigate whether findings on cervical spine MRI predict future neck pain. […]

Evidence for Increased MRI Signal Intensity and Morphological Changes in the Brachial Plexus and Median Nerves of Patients With Chronic Arm and Neck Pain Following Whiplash Injury

Authors: Jane Greening, PhD MCSP Study Design Cross-sectional study. Background Whiplash following a motor vehicle accident can result in chronic neck and arm pain. Patients frequently present with cutaneous hypersensitivities and hypoesthesia but without obvious clinical sign of nerve injury. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has previously been used to identify nerve pathology. Objectives To […]

Immediate Effect of Acupuncture on Electromyographic Activity of the Upper Trapezius Muscle and Pain in Patients With Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized, Single-Blinded, Sham-Controlled, Crossover Study – Full Text

March–April, 2018 Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics Volume 41, Issue 3, Pages 208–217 Simone Aparecida Penimpedo Calamita, PT, MSc Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to assess changes in upper trapezius myoelectric activity and pain in patients with nonspecific neck pain after a single session of acupuncture (ACP). Methods A blinded randomized […]

Cervical flexor muscle training reduces pain, anxiety, and depression levels in patients with chronic neck pain by a clinically important amount: A prospective cohort study

Physiotherapy Research International Goris Nazari First published: 14 March 2018 https://doi.org/10.1002/pri.1712 Abstract Background and Purpose Neck pain is the fourth leading cause of disability in the United States and exerts an important socio‐economic burden around the world. The aims of this study were to determine the effectiveness of deep and superficial flexor muscle training in […]

Clinical Practice Guideline for Physical Therapy Assessment and Treatment in Patients With Nonspecific Neck Pain – Full Text Article

Jasper D Bier Physical Therapy, Volume 98, Issue 3, 1 March 2018, Pages 162–171, https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzx118 Abstract The Royal Dutch Society for Physical Therapy (KNGF) issued a clinical practice guideline for physical therapists that addresses the assessment and treatment of patients with nonspecific neck pain, including cervical radiculopathy, in Dutch primary care. Recommendations were based on […]

Subclinical recurrent neck pain and its treatment impacts motor training-induced plasticity of the cerebellum and motor cortex

PLoS One. 2018; 13(2): e0193413. Published online 2018 Feb 28. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193413 PMCID: PMC5831387 PMID: 29489878 Julianne K. Baarbé Abstract The cerebellum processes pain inputs and is important for motor learning. Yet, how the cerebellum interacts with the motor cortex in individuals with recurrent pain is not clear. Functional connectivity between the cerebellum and motor […]

Neck muscle vibration produces diverse responses in balance and gait speed between individuals with and without neck pain

Musculoskeletal Science and Practice Volume 35, June 2018, Pages 25-29 Nipaporn Wannaprom Highlights Cervical proprioception is important for controlling balance and gait. Greater AP postural sway and slower gait speed occurs with neck pain. Vibration effects balance and gait positively in neck pain and negatively in controls. Neck muscle vibration has potential for rehabilitation of […]

Pragmatically Applied Cervical and Thoracic Nonthrust Versus Thrust Manipulation for Patients With Mechanical Neck Pain: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial

Authors: David Griswold, PT, PhD Published: Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2018 Volume:0 Issue:0 Pages:1–30 DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2018.7738 Study Design Randomized clinical trial. Background The comparative effectiveness between non-thrust (NTM) and thrust manipulation (TM) for mechanical neck pain has been investigated with inconsistent results. Objective To compare the clinical effectiveness of concordant cervical and […]

Long-term trajectories of patients with neck pain and low back pain presenting to chiropractic care: A latent class growth analysis.

Eur J Pain. 2018 Jan;22(1):103-113. doi: 10.1002/ejp.1094. Epub 2017 Sep 4. Ailliet L Abstract BACKGROUND: Information on the course of neck pain (NP) and low back pain (LBP) typically relies on data collected at few time intervals during a period of up to 1 year. METHODS: In this prospective, multicentre practice-based cohort study, patients consulting […]

Cervical Vertigo: Historical Reviews and Advances

World Neurosurgery Volume 109, January 2018, Pages 347-350 Baogan Peng https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2017.10.063Get rights and content Vertigo is one of the most common presentations in adult patients. Among the various causes of vertigo, so-called cervical vertigo is still a controversial entity. Cervical vertigo was first thought to be due to abnormal input from cervical sympathetic nerves based on the work […]

Cervical Radiculopathy: Effectiveness of Adding Traction to Physical Therapy—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials – Full Text

Antonio Romeo Physical Therapy, Volume 98, Issue 4, 1 April 2018, Pages 231–242, https://doi.org/10.1093/physth/pzy001 Published: 05 January 2018 Abstract Background Cervical radiculopathy (CR) is a common cervical spine disorder. Cervical traction (CT) is a frequently recommended treatment for patients with CR. Purpose The purpose of this study was to conduct a review and meta-analysis of […]

Evalution of the effectiveness of multimodal approach to the management of cervical vertigo.

Wiad Lek. 2017;70(3 pt 2):571-573. Jaroshevskyi OA1, Payenok OS2, Logvinenko AV3. Abstract INTRODUCTION: Vertigo is one of the most common complaints among patients consulting neurologists and general practitioners – family medicine. A special form of dizziness is cervical vertigo. However, the presence of chronic vertigo and imbalance in this group of patients makes it possible […]

Does Postural Awareness Contribute to Exercise-Induced Improvements in Neck Pain Intensity? A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Tai Chi and Neck Exercises

Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2017 Aug 15;42(16):1195-1200. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000002078. Lauche R Abstract STUDY DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. OBJECTIVE: This secondary analysis aims to examine associations of improvement of chronic neck pain with patients’ and intervention-related characteristics. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Previous research has found that Tai Chi and neck exercises significantly […]

Manual therapy, exercise therapy or combined treatment in the management of adult neck pain – A systematic review and meta-analysis – Full Text

Ken Fredin, Håvard Lorås Musculoskeletal Science & Practice , Volume 31 , 62 – 71 Highlights •The effects of combining therapies on neck pain and function was assessed. •No studies investigated the effects of adding exercise therapy to manual therapy. •Adding manual therapy to exercise therapy does not seem to improve outcomes. •The quality of […]

Asymptomatic cervical spine fractures: Current guidelines can fail older patients.

J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2017 Jul;83(1):119-125. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000001497. Healey CD1, Spilman SK, King BD, Sherrill JE 2nd, Pelaez CA. Abstract BACKGROUND: Older adults represent a growing proportion of trauma patients treated in the United States, and cervical spine (c-spine) fracture is an injury that is increasingly common in this population. Neck pain is a major component of current clinical […]

The Physiological Basis of Cervical Facet-Mediated Persistent Pain: Basic Science and Clinical Challenges

Authors: Meagan E. Ita, MS Synopsis Chronic neck pain is a common condition and a primary clinical symptom of whiplash and other spinal injuries. Loading-induced neck injuries produce abnormal kinematics between the vertebrae, with the potential to injure facet joints and the afferent fibers that innervate the specific joint tissues, including the capsular ligament. Mechanoreceptive […]

Musculoskeletal disorders of the upper cervical spine in women with episodic or chronic migraine

European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Ferracini GN, et al. This study was set up with the aim to examine differences in musculoskeletal impairments of the neck including active global and upper cervical spine mobility, the presence of symptomatic upper cervical spine joints, cervicocephalic kinesthesia and head/neck posture between women with episodic migraine, chronic […]

The efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of cervical vertigo: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine — Hou Z, et al. | May 10, 2017 The objective of the study described in this paper is to assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of cervical vertigo (CV). In view of the systematic review, acupuncture appeared to be a promising therapeutic approach for CV […]