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Muscle dysfunction in cervical spine pain: implications for assessment and management
Shaun O'Leary1, Deborah Falla, James M Elliott
1NHMRC Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, Division of Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. s.oleary@uq.edu.au
Summary
Mechanical neck pain (MNP) is linked to cervical muscle dysfunction, affecting muscle structure and behavior. While retraining helps, better methods are needed to assess and manage MNP patients for optimal treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanical analysis of musculoskeletal disorders
- Clinical assessment of spinal conditions
Background:
- Mechanical neck pain (MNP) is associated with demonstrable dysfunction in cervical spine muscles.
- Impairments include alterations in muscle structure (e.g., cross-sectional area, fatty infiltration) and behavior (e.g., activation timing).
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the evidence linking cervical muscle dysfunction to MNP.
- To highlight the need for improved assessment and management strategies for cervical muscle retraining in MNP.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing evidence on cervical muscle function in MNP.
- Analysis of the impact of muscle impairments on cervical stability and function.
Main Results:
- Cervical muscle dysfunction impairs the capacity to generate and sustain torque, compromising mechanical stability.
- Interventions targeting cervical muscle retraining show promise for MNP relief.
Conclusions:
- Despite evidence of MNP and cervical muscle dysfunction association, optimal methods for patient classification and targeted training are still developing.
- Comprehensive patient evaluation is crucial for effective management of cervical muscle dysfunction and MNP.
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