An Article Review on The effectiveness of a neck and shoulder stretching exercise program among office workers with neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.
Article Review by Kelly Beaudoin, MSPT
Relevance of Article Review
Now that so many individuals are working from home and attending school virtually, we are seeing more and more people in the office with neck and shoulder pain. Posture and ergonomics plays a very important role in helping to prevent shoulder and neck pain. Maintaining good posture throughout the work or school day can be a challenge, so we often find ourselves slouched at our desk and looking down at our paperwork. Incorporating shoulder and neck stretches throughout the work and school day can make a significant difference in decreasing pain.
Purpose & Method of Study
Purpose & Method of StudyThis article helps to establish the need of a good stretching routine to help alleviate neck and shoulder pain. Not only do you need to correct your posture and ergonomic workstation set-up, but you need to incorporate stretches throughout your work day to significantly reduce neck and shoulder pain.
This was a randomized controlled study that supported the need for stretching exercises among office workers with neck pain. The objective for this study was to determine the effectiveness of neck and shoulder stretching exercises for relief of neck pain among office workers. This study included a total of 96 subjects with moderate-to-severe neck pain (pain rating scale of greater or equal to 5/10) for a minimum of 3 months.
In this study all participants received an informative brochure indicating the proper position and ergonomics to be applied during daily work. The treatment group received the additional instruction to perform neck and shoulder stretching exercises twice per day, five days per week for four weeks.
Study Outcome
Degree of pain, neck function, and quality of life were evaluated at the beginning of the study and at week four. Both groups had comparable scores at the beginning of the study. All outcome scores improved significantly at week four. When compared between groups, the degree of improvement was significantly greater in the treatment group, which received the neck and shoulder stretching exercises versus the group that only received the posture and ergonomic informative brochure. Within the treatment group; those who exercised at least 3 or more times per week demonstrated significantly greater improvement in neck function and quality of life scores versus the patients who performed their exercises less than 3 times per week.
Conclusion of Study
In conclusion to this study, a regular stretching exercise program can decrease neck and shoulder pain and improve neck function and quality of life for office workers who have chronic moderate-to-severe neck or shoulder pain.
Take Action Now!
If stretching the neck and shoulders alleviated pain for those with moderate-to-severe neck or shoulder pain, imagine what it could do for you! If you spend time at a desk or on a computer, incorporating stretching exercises into your daily routine will help to alleviate your pain and or help to prevent shoulder and neck pain! To learn a few neck & shoulder stretches visit our video library at Balance@Home
Skilled Physical Therapy intervention is a highly effective non-surgical treatment option for many causes of shoulder pain. A skilled therapist will perform a comprehensive evaluation to assess all factors contributing to your shoulder/neck condition and educate you on the proper stretching and strengthening exercises. Contact Balance Solutions or call to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist today! Balance Solutions Physical Therapy is here to help, offering advanced manual therapy and physical therapy for shoulder pain, “Changing the Quality of Life, One Patient at a Time” TM
Balance Solutions Physical Therapy is located at Commerce Park in Beachwood Ohio, just on the outskirts of Cleveland. Services offered include physical therapy, orthopedic & sports rehab, vestibular rehab, massage therapy, myofascial release, Reiki, Integrative Dry Needling, as well as Pilates mat and reformer private and class lessons