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Related Concept Videos

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses01:31

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses

Skeletal muscle relaxants are used to relax muscle tone and alleviate painful muscle contractions. However, the choice of skeletal muscle relaxants depends on the duration of the surgical procedure in order to minimize potential side effects. Skeletal muscle relaxants like neuromuscular blocking agents [NMBAs] are commonly employed as adjuvants alongside general anesthetics in clinical settings. NMBAs are also used to maintain controlled ventilation during surgery of the larynx or pharynx as...
Muscles that Move the Head01:19

Muscles that Move the Head

The muscles that move the head are a dynamic and complex group of structures that work together to facilitate a wide range of head movements, including rotation, flexion, extension, and lateral bending.
The bilateral sternocleidomastoid, or SCM, and the suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles are significant head flexors. The SCM muscles originate at the sternum and clavicle and attach to the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The SCM contracts bilaterally to bend the head forward, whereas...
Directly Acting Muscle Relaxants: Dantrolene and Botulinum Toxin01:26

Directly Acting Muscle Relaxants: Dantrolene and Botulinum Toxin

Directly acting muscle relaxants like dantrolene and botulinum toxin (BoNT) have distinct mechanisms and applications. Dantrolene, a hydantoin derivative, acts on the ryanodine receptor (RYR1) in skeletal muscle cells. RYR1 are calcium channels present at the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane. In response to excitation, they release calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum to the cytosol. Calcium promotes actin-myosin-mediated contraction of muscles.
The binding of dantrolene to the RYR1...
Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants01:28

Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

Skeletal muscle relaxants are a group of drugs that can reduce muscle stiffness and induce temporary paralysis to relieve pain. These agents can act centrally to reduce muscle tone or spasms in painful conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or spinal injuries; they are called antispasmodics or spasmolytics.
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...
Muscles of the Anterior Neck01:26

Muscles of the Anterior Neck

The anterior neck muscles are the group of muscles covering the front part of the neck. These muscles are classified into three subgroups. The first one is the superficial muscles, the most visible muscles in the front of the neck. It includes the platysma and sternocleidomastoid. The second group is the suprahyoid muscles, located above the hyoid bone. This group comprises the digastric, mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and stylohyoid. Lastly, the infrahyoid muscles are found below the hyoid bone and...
Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses01:24

Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses

Centrally acting muscle relaxants reduce muscle tone and tension by interfering with the postsynaptic reflexes in the central nervous system.
Centrally acting drugs are classified into spasmolytic and antispasmodic drugs. Spasmolytic drugs such as baclofen, diazepam, and tizanidine inhibit spinal motor neurons and decrease muscle tone. Spasmolytic drugs are administered for severe and chronic spasms due to multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, and spinal cord and muscle injuries. However,...

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Updated: May 18, 2026

Warm Moxibustion and Scraping as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Cervical Spondylosis Treatment
04:28

Warm Moxibustion and Scraping as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Cervical Spondylosis Treatment

Published on: June 27, 2025

Massage for mechanical neck disorders.

Kinjal C Patel1, Anita Gross, Nadine Graham

  • 1Advantage Health Castleridge, 2210-4818B Westwinds Drive NE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|September 14, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The effectiveness of massage for mechanical neck disorders (MND) remains uncertain due to low-quality studies. While some evidence suggests short-term benefits for pain and tenderness, more research is needed to guide clinical practice.

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Chuzhen Therapy as a Non-Invasive Traditional Chinese Therapy for Neck Pain
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Chuzhen Therapy as a Non-Invasive Traditional Chinese Therapy for Neck Pain

Published on: June 6, 2025

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Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Warm Moxibustion and Scraping as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Cervical Spondylosis Treatment
04:28

Warm Moxibustion and Scraping as a Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy for Cervical Spondylosis Treatment

Published on: June 27, 2025

Chuzhen Therapy as a Non-Invasive Traditional Chinese Therapy for Neck Pain
04:24

Chuzhen Therapy as a Non-Invasive Traditional Chinese Therapy for Neck Pain

Published on: June 6, 2025

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Physical Medicine
  • Rehabilitation

Background:

  • Mechanical neck disorders (MND) are prevalent, causing individual hindrance and societal costs.
  • Massage is a commonly utilized treatment for MND.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of massage on pain, function, patient satisfaction, perceived effect, adverse events, and cost in adults with neck pain.
  • To compare massage outcomes against any control or placebo, from immediate post-treatment to long-term follow-up.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was conducted.
  • Searches were performed across multiple databases (Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, MANTIS, CINAHL, ICL) up to February 2012.
  • Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers, with meta-analysis using random-effects models.

Main Results:

  • Fifteen trials were included, all assessed as low or very low GRADE level quality.
  • Very low evidence suggests certain massage techniques may improve function and tenderness compared to control/placebo.
  • Low evidence indicates massage may be more beneficial than education for short-term pain relief; combination therapies showed potential for pain reduction.

Conclusions:

  • The effectiveness of massage for neck pain is uncertain due to significant limitations in study quality and methodology.
  • Massage may offer immediate or short-term benefits for pain and tenderness as a standalone treatment.
  • Further research is required to assess long-term effects and the impact of repeated treatments.