Severity and Frequency of Pain Symptoms in the Cervical Spine

Abstract

Deviation from a healthy posture suggests the presence of neuromuscular imbalance and may be associated with certain musculoskeletal complaints, such as neck pain. We measured the craniovertebral angle (CVA) of the spine in 100 healthy adults who worked at a computer for more than two hours per day for more than two years. We found a weak, positive, statistically significant linear relationship between the frequency of reported pain and the degree of pain (Pearson's r=0.246, p=0.014) and a moderate relationship with the measured CVA values for sitting and standing (r=0.403, p=0.001). A higher frequency (at 72%) and severity (60%) of pain symptom was calculated in study participants who had a CVA measured below 50° from a standing position (p>0.05). Effective management of cervical pain is beneficial to clinicians and healthcare professionals involved in spinal rehabilitation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of sagittal alignment of the cervical spine on the frequency and severity of pain in this region.