The Role of Physical Activity and Physical Therapy on Muscle Relaxation and Pain in Neck Disorders

Background: Musculoskeletal problems (neck, shoulder, back pain etc.) occur as a chronic pain or disability that reducesquality of life and economic productivity. To test the hypothesis that, comparison of the effectiveness of one-session application of two physiotherapy methods. The other aim is to investigation the relationship between physical activity and pain, muscle relaxation.

Method: This study was designed randomized trial and double blind. Participants (with neck pain) divided into two groups (Classical Massage (CM), n=24 and Active Stretching, n=21) Pain were determined by the visual analog scale (VAS), a digital pressure algometer was used to assess pain threshold (PT) level and muscle relaxation response was measured by means of electromyography biofeedback (EMG_BF). Physical activity was determined by the physical activity assessment questionnaire (PAAQ).

Results: Only the EMG values on the right SCM muscles of the CM group was found significantly higher than stretching group (p=0.003). The relationship between EMG-BF, PT values and PAAQ was examined.

Conclusions: Self-stretching is more effective than CM in providing muscle relaxation. Physical activities (especially steps, sitting at home working and school activities) particularly affect neck pain and SCM muscle.