Neck pain and posture are frequently linked in many conversations regarding origin or recurrence of neck pain, in desk ergonomics and workplace health education. 

This episode looks into the literature examining the relationship between neck pain and postures involving the head, neck, and shoulder girdle. 

-       Does posture relate to neck pain

-       Is there such a thing as text neck

-       Does correcting posture reduce neck pain?

-       If not posture, then what factors predict neck pain?

Let's see if we can answer these questions...


References

Bement, M. H. (2008). Faculty opinions recommendation of effect of two contrasting types of physical exercise on chronic neck muscle pain. Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature. https://doi.org/10.3410/f.1099466.555735

Damasceno, G. M., Ferreira, A. S., Nogueira, L. A., Reis, F. J., Andrade, I. C., & Meziat-Filho, N. (2018). Text neck and neck pain in 18–21-year-old young adults. European Spine Journal, 27(6), 1249-1254. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-017-5444-5

Falla, D., Jull, G., Russell, T., Vicenzino, B., & Hodges, P. (2007). Effect of neck exercise on sitting posture in patients with chronic neck pain. Physical Therapy, 87(4), 408-417. https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20060009

Grob, D., Frauenfelder, H., & Mannion, A. F. (2006). The association between cervical spine curvature and neck pain. European Spine Journal, 16(5), 669-678. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-006-0254-1

Hush, J. M., Michaleff, Z., Maher, C. G., & Refshauge, K. (2009). Individual, physical and psychological risk factors for neck pain in Australian office workers: A 1-year longitudinal study. European Spine Journal, 18(10), 1532-1540. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-009-1011-z

Jahre, H., Grotle, M., Småstuen, M., Guddal, M. H., Smedbråten, K., Richardsen, K. R., Stensland, S., Storheim, K., & Øiestad, B. E. (2021). Risk factors and risk profiles for neck pain in young adults: Prospective analyses from adolescence to young adulthood—The north-trøndelag health study. PLOS ONE, 16(8), e0256006. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256006

Kim, D., Cho, M., Park, Y., & Yang, Y. (2015). Effect of an exercise program for posture correction on musculoskeletal pain. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 27(6), 1791-1794. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.1791

Kim, R., Wiest, C., Clark, K., Cook, C., & Horn, M. (2018). Identifying risk factors for first-episode neck pain: A systematic review. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 33, 77-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2017.11.007

Lee, M., Park, S., & Kim, J. (2013). Effects of neck exercise on high-school students’ neck–shoulder posture. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 25(5), 571-574. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.25.571

Louw, S., Makwela, S., Manas, L., Meyer, L., Terblanche, D., & Brink, Y. (2017). Effectiveness of exercise in office workers with neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. South African Journal of Physiotherapy, 73(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v73i1.392

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