Effect of Lower Trapezius, Middle Trapezius and Serratus Anterior Muscles Strengthening on Pain, Muscle Strength and Functional Status in individuals with Non-Specific Chronic Neck Pain

Abstract

Background: Chronic non-specific neck pain is the most common chronic musculoskeletal
paincondition, causing significant pain, disability, and lost productivity. On-specific neck pain is not
just a clinical problem, it can develop into a complex disorder where physical, psychological, social
compensation and other possible forces interact to cause and lead to maintained disability. Neck pain
is present with weakness and muscular imbalance. It has a close relationship between muscle prone to
tightness and those prone to inhibition. In the case of neck pain, there is tightness of upper trapezius
(UT) muscle leading to middle trapezius (MT), lower trapezius (LT) and serratus anterior (SA) muscles
weakness. There is evidence that scapulothoracic muscles weakness may also be associated with neck
pain. Individuals with neck pain were having significantly weaker Lower Trapezius, Middle Trapezius
and Serratus Anterior muscles strength than asymptomatic individuals.
Context and Purpose: There is emerging evidence that scapulothoracic muscles weakness often is
associated with neck pain and it has a close relationship between muscle prone to tightness and those
prone to inhibition. In the case of neck pain, prolonged tightness of upper trapezius muscle can lead to
middle trapezius, lowertrapezius, and serratus anterior muscles weakness. The purpose of the study is
to find out the effect of LT, MT and SAmuscles strengthening along with the conventional treatment on
pain, muscle strength and functional status in non-specifi cchronic neck pain.
Results: There was significant effect on LT, MTand SA muscles strengthening in reducing pain,
improving strength and functional status in individuals with non-specific chronic neck pain.
Conclusion: Strengthening exercises to LT, MT and SA muscles along withconventional therapy is
effective in reducing pain, improving muscle strength and functional status inindividuals with nonspecific chronic neck pain.