Activation of the semispinalis cervicis and splenius capitis with cervical pulley exercises.

Study Design: Quasi-Experimental.

Objective: To assess the activation of semispinalis cervicis (d-SSC) and splenius capitis (s-SC) muscles, and the activation between the two during neck pulley and free weight exercises.

Background: Altered activation of cervical extensors may occur with neck pain, suggesting that exercises should be designed to target these muscles.

Can neck exercises enhance the activation of the semispinalis cervicis relative to the splenius capitis at specific spinal levels?

The deep cervical extensor, semispinalis cervicis, displays changes in behaviour and structure in people with chronic neck pain yet there is limited knowledge on how activation of this muscle can be emphasized during training. Using intramuscular electromyography (EMG), this study investigated the activity of the deep semispinalis cervicis and the superficial splenius capitis muscle at two spinal levels (C2 and C5) in ten healthy volunteers during a series of neck exercises: 1. Traction and compression, 2.

Function and structure of the deep cervical extensor muscles in patients with neck pain.

The deep cervical extensors are anatomically able to control segmental movements of the cervical spine in concert with the deep cervical flexors. Several investigations have confirmed changes in cervical flexor muscle control in patients with neck pain and as a result, effective evidence-based therapeutic exercises have been developed to address such dysfunctions. However, knowledge on how the deep extensor muscles behave in patients with neck pain disorders is scare.

Immediate effects of active cranio-cervical flexion exercise versus passive mobilisation of the upper cervical spine on pain and performance on the cranio-cervical flexion test.

This study compared the immediate effects of an assisted plus active cranio-cervical flexion exercise (exercise group) versus a passive mobilisation plus assisted cranio-cervical flexion (mobilisation group) on performance of the cranio-cervical flexion test (CCFT), cervical range of motion (ROM) and pain in patients with chronic neck pain. Eighteen volunteers with chronic idiopathic neck pain participated in the study and were randomised to one of the two intervention groups. Current level of pain, cervical ROM and pain perceived during movement, pressure pain threshold (PPT) and surface electromyography (EMG) during performance of the CCFT were measured before and immediately after the intervention.

Localized pressure pain sensitivity is associated with lower activation of the semispinalis cervicis muscle in patients with chronic neck pain.

Objective: To investigate the relation between localized pressure pain sensitivity and the amplitude and specificity of semispinalis cervicis muscle activity in patients with chronic neck pain.

Materials And Methods: Pressure pain detection thresholds (PPDTs) were measured over the C2-C3 and C5-C6 cervical zygapophyseal joints in 10 women with chronic neck pain and 9 healthy age-matched and sex-matched controls. Intramuscular electromyography (EMG) was acquired from the semispinalis cervicis at the levels of C2 and C5 during isometric circular contractions in the horizontal plane at 15 and 30 N, with continuous change in force direction in the range 0 to 360 degrees.

Localised resistance selectively activates the semispinalis cervicis muscle in patients with neck pain.

The semispinalis cervicis muscle displays reduced and less defined activation in patients with neck pain which is associated with increased activity of the splenius capitis muscle. Exercises to selectively activate the semispinalis cervicis muscle may be relevant for patients with neck pain however the most appropriate type of exercise has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a specific exercise could selectively activate the semispinalis cervicis muscle relative to the splenius capitis.

Recruitment of motor units in two fascicles of the semispinalis cervicis muscle.

This study investigated the behavior of motor units in the semispinalis cervicis muscle. Intramuscular EMG recordings were obtained unilaterally at levels C2 and C5 in 15 healthy volunteers (8 men, 7 women) who performed isometric neck extensions at 5%, 10%, and 20% of the maximal force [maximum voluntary contraction (MVC)] for 2 min each and linearly increasing force contractions from 0 to 30% MVC over 3 s. Individual motor unit action potentials were identified.

Chronic trauma-induced neck pain impairs the neural control of the deep semispinalis cervicis muscle.

Objective: The deep cervical extensors show structural changes in patients with neck pain however their activation has never been investigated in patients. This study is the first to present neurophysiological data from the deep semispinalis cervicis muscle in patients.

Methods: Ten women with chronic neck pain and 10 healthy controls participated.

Symptom localization tests in the cervical spine: a descriptive study using imaging verification.

The concept of isolation of a movement to a single specific spinal segment by blocking/stabilization is considered useful and important during both examination and treatment. This descriptive study endeavoured to determine whether a typical manual stabilizing procedure changes movement patterns in the cervical spine. Lateral radiographs were taken of five volunteers in active/assisted extension with and without manual fixation grasping with the thumb and fingers around the dorsal aspect of the neck at the level of the vertebral arch.

Association between neck muscle coactivation, pain, and strength in women with neck pain.

This study investigates the relationship between neck muscle coactivation, neck strength and perceived pain and disability in women with neck pain. Surface electromyography (EMG) was acquired from the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and splenius capitis (SC) muscles of 13 women with chronic neck pain and 10 controls as they performed 1) maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) in flexion, extension and left and right lateral flexion, 2) ramped contractions from 0% to 50% MVC in flexion and extension and 3) circular contractions in the horizontal plane at 15N and 30N force. Higher values of EMG amplitude were observed for the SC (antagonist) during ramped neck flexion and for the SCM during ramped extension in the patient group (P<0.

The effect of an analgesic mobilization technique when applied at symptomatic or asymptomatic levels of the cervical spine in subjects with neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.

The purpose of this single-blinded, randomized controlled trial was to compare the effects of a manual treatment technique on neck pain and movement sensation when applied in different segments of the cervical spine. Consecutive patients with neck pain (n=126) were recruited and randomly allocated to two groups (A or B). Group A received a single 4-minute pain-alleviating traction at the most symptomatic zygopophyseal joint of the cervical segment, where movement was correlated with pain.