Research and News
Posts tagged neck pain
Thera-Band® exercises reduce pain and improve muscle function in Air Force helicopter pilots
Aug 9th
It’s been estimated that 50% of military helicopter pilots experience neck pain in the previous year, likely due to the postural demands and helmet-mounted technology. Physical therapist researchers in Sweden investigated the effectiveness of a neck exercise program for Swedish Air Force helicopter pilots and reported their findings in Spine. They measured the incidence of neck pain and EMG activity of neck muscles during a cranio-cervical flexion test in 68 active-duty pilots that were randomly assigned to an exercise or control group.
An experienced physiotherapist supervised the exercises which were performed 1 to 2 times a day for 10 to 15 minutes with 2 to 4 exercises. The exercises were individually prescribed and progressed by the physiotherapist based on the pilots’ progress toward motor control and movement quality, rather than a specific number of sets and repetitions. Pilots progressed through a specific set of exercises over 6 weeks. Using Thera-Band resistance bands, the exercises gradually challenged the neck and shoulder muscle function from non-postural to postural exercises, and endurance-strength exercises. (Download the helicopter pilot exercise protocol here)
After the 6-week program, the exercise group significantly decreased their muscle activation levels (measured with EMG) of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle during the cranio-cervical flexion test More >
Thera-Band® resistance helps headache associated with neck pain
Jun 8th
Cervicogenic headaches, or headaches referred from the neck, occur in about 2.5% of adults. While most people treat their headaches with medication, research is showing that exercise may be a better long-term solution, particularly for chronic neck pain. Researcher Jari Ylinen MD, PhD from Central Hospital in Finland and his colleagues investigated the effects of Thera-Band® strengthening exercises and endurance exercises in patients with headaches and arm pain associated with neck pain. His findings were published in the Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine.
Previously, Dr. Ylinen published landmark studies showing Thera-Band cervical exercises “relieve or even completely eliminate pain and restore function in patients with chronic neck pain.” His most recent study investigated the same program in patients with neck pain and headaches. In the blinded, randomized controlled trial, 180 female office workers with head and neck pain were assigned to a strengthening group, endurance training, or control group.
Training methods. Both training groups started with 2 weeks of clinical rehabilitation and a home exercise program, 5 days per week. The endurance group exercised by lifting their head up from supine for 3 sets of 20, while the strengthening group used a dynamic isometric Thera-Band exercise in a sitting position for 1 set of 15 More >
Elastic bands effective at treating neck pain and whiplash
Mar 8th
“Whiplash” injuries are defined as sudden acceleration-deceleration of the head resulting in damage to the cervical spine. While most common in motor vehicle accidents (MVA), whiplash can occur as a result of other high-speed activities such as sports. Usually characterized by long-standing chronic neck pain and disability, studies have shown that patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) have specific patterns of muscle weakness and tightness. Exercise for whiplash and neck pain have been shown effective. Previous research by Dr. Jari Ylinen in Finland has shown that Thera-Band® resistance band exercises are effective at reducing chronic neck pain for up to 2 years. Click here to view Dr. Ylinen’s Thera-Band resistance band exercise protocol here.
Researchers in Norway wanted to compare 2 types of exercise programs on patients with whiplash. 25 patients were randomly assigned to a strength and endurance group or a “motor control” exercise group during 6 weeks of physical therapy. The motor control group performed 10 repetitions of deep neck flexor activation against an inflatable blood pressure cuff. The strengthening group used elastic bands to strengthen their neck muscles and dumbbells to strengthen the upper body. Each exercise was performed for 1 set of 15 to 20 repetitions; each session included a 5 minute More >
Biofreeze® is better than ice for neck pain
Aug 10th
Bart Bishop, DPT of Sport and Spine Rehab in Rockville, Maryland compared Biofreeze® topical analgesic and ice application to patients with bilateral neck pain. Bishop stated, “We’ve used both ice and Biofreeze in our neck patients, but never had any evidence to support using one versus the other.” He found that both modalities reduced pain significantly, but patients preferred the Biofreeze application 8 to 1 compared to ice. The Biofreeze treatment lasted longer in 9 out of 10 patients, with twice as much pain reduction compared to ice. “Now that we know how effective Biofreeze is, we are going to continue including it as a standard treatment for neck pain patients and start investigating its effectiveness in other patient populations. We also think that using Biofreeze can help improve patient compliance and retention as so many more of them felt comfortable with the treatment.” Dr. Bishop presented his findings at the TRAC 2009 meeting in Cancun, Mexico. Read the research abstract here.
Guidelines for treating neck pain with Thera-Band Tubing
Jul 22nd
An interdisciplinary group of researchers and clinicians reviewed 11 systematic research reviews to develop a ‘toolkit’ for clinicians to apply the best evidence for treating neck pain. The “Cervical Overview Group” created a clinical practice guideline that includes a therapeutic home exercise program for neck pain. The full article was published in the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy in May, 2009. The 3-phase “Evidence-based Home Neck Care Program” includes the use of elastic tubing as an integral part of the home program.
Visit the Thera-Band Academy Neck/Cervical Spine resource center to find more articles and exercises for neck pain.
