Shoulder Neck Syndrome

Shoulder Neck Syndrome / Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS)

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Prevalence

In recent years, increasing problems related shoulder-neck disorders has been reported around the world. This is because of constrained work postures and repetitive work tasks in industry.

The prevalence rate of tension neck syndrome among male industrial workers is 4-9%. Compared with blue collar workers, white colloar had a significant odds ratio (4.8) of shoulder neck syndrome.

(Hagberg, 1986, Prevalence rates and odds ratios of shoulder-neck diseases in different occupational groups, British Journal of Industrial Medicine; 44:602-610)

Clinical Symptoms

(i) Pain in the deltoid region of the upper arm.

(ii) Pain and stiffness in the neck with palpation tenderness in the trapezius muscle.

(iii) Pain in the trapezius muscle, the levator muscle of the scapula, or the supraspinous or infraspinous muscle.

(Brandt, 2004, Neck and shoulder symptoms and disorder among Danish computer workers, Scand J Work Environ Health; 399-409)

Clinical Treatment

(i) Manual therapy

(ii) Electric therapy

(iii) Cold and heat therapy

(iv) Active/passive ROM movement

(v) Stretch

According to various researches, the effect of active ROM exercise involves moving the joints into various positions and gently stretching the muscle to maintain the freedom of joint movement.

(Hou, 2002, Immediate Effects of Various Physical Therapeutic Modalities on Cervical Myofascial Pain and Trigger-Point Sensitivity, Arch Phys Med Rehabil Vol 83; 1406-14)

1

Maintain Shoulder and Upper Back Mobility

2

Shoulder Strengthening Exercise

3

Dynamic Core Stability Training

Therapeutic Effect

Study shows as long as active ROM and stretch are included, combinations are effective on treating shoulder neck syndrome. Active ROM is the most effective treatment.

(Hou, 2002, Immediate Effects of Various Physical Therapeutic Modalities on Cervical Myofascial Pain and Trigger-Point Sensitivity, Arch Phys Med Rehabil Vol 83; 1406-14)