Studies
have shown that approximately 70 percent of people are afflicted
with some form of neck pain at some point in their lives;
5 percent to 10 percent suffer neck pain that is debilitating.
However, the symptoms associated with "nonspecific" neck pain
- pain not associated with injury, disorder, or tissue degeneration
- have not been studied extensively.
In a recent study in the journal Spine, researchers examined
40 adults, ages 19-42, with no prior neck injuries or treatment,
to study the structural composition of the neck and its relation
to pain. Volunteers were tested for neck-muscle endurance,
range of motion, and extension, and questioned about their
history of recurrent neck pain or discomfort.
More than one in three (35%) of the study participants reported
experiencing neck pain/discomfort weekly or more frequently,
with duration of symptoms lasting from 30 minutes to 48 hours
per occurrence. In these subjects, neck muscle endurance,
neck extension and range of motion were significantly reduced
compared to the remaining 26 subjects - those without reported
neck pain.
The bottom line, according to the authors, is that physical
limitations involving neck movement and endurance may be early
signs of neck pain. Before any of that happens, make an appointment
with an expert in preventing and managing musculoskeletal
pain and associated limitations - a doctor of chiropractic.
To learn more about musculoskeletal conditions and the benefits
chiropractic can provide, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/musculoskeletal.
Reference:
Lee H, Nicholson LL, Adams RD. Cervical range of motion
associations with subclinical neck pain. Spine, Jan.
1, 2004:29(1), pp33-40.
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