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The Efficacy of Intermittent Cervical Traction in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain.  Fall 2008

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies about the usefulness of traction therapy have concluded with conflicting results. The aim of this study was to examine its efficacy in chronic neck pain.

CONCLUSION: No specific effect of traction over standard physiotherapeutic interventions was observed in adults with chronic neck pain. We suggest the clinicians to consider this condition and to focus on exercise therapy in the management of patients suffering from this condition.

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Specific Strength Training Helpful for Neck Muscle Pain  Summer 2008

PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of specific strength training of the painful muscle versus general fitness training without direct involvement of the painful muscle (leg bicycling) on work-related neck muscle pain.

CONCLUSION: Supervised high-intensity (8 - 12 RM) dynamic strength training of the painful muscle 3 times a week for 20 minutes should be recommended in the treatment of trapezius myalgia.

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Sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAGs) are an effective treatment for cervicogenic dizziness.  Spring 2008

Background: Cervicogenic dizziness is dizziness described as imbalance occurring together with cervical pain or headache. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAGs) in the treatment of this condition.

Conclusion: The SNAG treatment had an immediate clinically and statistically significant sustained effect in reducing dizziness, cervical pain and disability caused by cervical dysfunction.

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The Immediate Effect of Passive Scapular Elevation on Symptoms With Active Neck Rotation in Patients With Neck Pain.  Spring 2008

Objective: To examine the effect of elevating the scapulae on symptoms during neck rotation.

Conclusion: Passive elevation of the scapulae resulted in a decrease in symptoms with right and left neck rotation in the majority of patients. These findings are important because they indicate that neck symptoms can be immediately improved within the context of the examination. Such information potentially can be used to assist in directing intervention.

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Efficacy of a C1-C2 self-sustained natural apophyseal glide (SNAG) in the management of cervicogenic headache.  Fall 2007
Objectives: Randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial to determine the effect of a C1-C2 self-sustained natural apophyseal glide (SNAG) on cervicogenic headache. Cervicogenic headache is a common condition causing significant disability.
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Effect of neck exercise on sitting posture in patients with chronic neck pain.  Summer 2007
Poor sitting posture has been implicated in the development and perpetuation of neck pain symptoms. This study had two purposes: (1) to compare change in cervical and thoracic posture during a distracting task between subjects with chronic neck pain and control subjects and (2) to compare the effects of two different neck exercise regimens on the ability of people with neck pain to maintain an upright cervical and thoracic posture during this task.
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Strength and endurance exercises decrease chronic neck pain.  Spring 2007
The purpose of this study was to examine the dose-response relationship of specific strength- and endurance-training regimes for the cervical muscles that have been shown to be effective among women with chronic neck pain and disability.
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Manual Physical Therapy, Cervical Traction, and Strengthening Exercises in Patients with Cervical Radiculopathy: A Case Series.  Summer 2006
Purpose: To describe the outcomes of a consecutive series of patients presenting to physical therapy with cervical radiculopathy and managed with the use of manual physical therapy, cervical traction, and strengthening exercises.
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Immediate Effects of Thoracic Manipulation in Patients with Neck Pain: a Randomized Clinical Trial.  Summer 2005
Objective: To investigate the immediate effects of thoracic spine manipulation on perceived pain levels in patients presenting with neck pain.
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Physical Therapy Corner: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome  Fall 2004
Article covers basic anatomy, signs and symptoms, causes of neurovascular compression, diagnosis and treatment.
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