Impact of structural factors around the accessory nerve on the pathogenesis of essential neck and upper-back stiffness: a sonographic investigation.

Introduction: Neck and upper-back stiffness involves discomfort/ache in the trapezius muscle (TM). The pathogenesis of 'essential neck and upper-back stiffness' without obvious causes remains uncertain. In symptomatic subjects, TM hardness correlates with decreased transverse cervical artery (TCA) blood flow to the TM.

Close relationships between neck and upper-back stiffness and transverse cervical artery flow velocity.

Purpose: Neck and upper-back stiffness is encountered in daily life, with symptoms appearing as dullness or aches predominantly in the trapezius muscle (TM). Our previous study demonstrated that TM hardness as measured with a muscle hardness meter correlates well with transverse cervical artery (TCA) flow supplying the TM. Muscle hardness meters, however, cannot measure hardness in the TM alone.

Sex-dependent impact of a short rest after lunch on hemodynamics as assessed by Doppler sonography.

Purpose: Taking a short rest after lunch suppresses increases in blood flow to the digestive organs and maintains blood flow to the brain in the afternoon, possibly providing beneficial effects in preventing post-prandial drowsiness. The present study investigated sex-dependent influences on changes in hemodynamics produced by taking a short rest after lunch.

Methods: Subjects comprised 20 healthy young adults (10 men, 10 women; mean age 21 ± 1 years).