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| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2022 | Volume
: 15
| Issue : 4 | Page : 534-537 |
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Effect of suboccipital release technique in forward head posture: A comparative study
Amita Aggarwal1, Ashwani Nair1, Tushar J Palekar1, Dhammapal Bhamare2
1 Department of Physiotherapy, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India
2 Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| Date of Submission | 29-Nov-2020 |
| Date of Decision | 28-May-2021 |
| Date of Acceptance | 28-May-2021 |
| Date of Web Publication | 01-Mar-2022 |
Correspondence Address:
Amita Aggarwal
Flat No. 1004, A Wing, Kamalraj Haridwar Society, Near Tanish Icon Society, Dighi, Pune - 411 015, Maharashtra
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/mjdrdypu.mjdrdypu_665_20
Background: Forward head posture is a postural malalignment. It can lead to increased neck pain and decreased neck mobility. Objective: The purpose of this study was to find added effect of suboccipital release technique with conventional treatment on neck pain, disability, mobility, and craniovertebral angle (CVA) in forward head population. Materials and Methods: Fifty subjects with forward head posture and neck pain were randomly allocated in two groups. Experimental group (Group A) was given myofascial release to suboccipital group of muscles along with conventional treatment and control group (Group B) received conventional treatment. Subjects received treatment three times a week, for 2 weeks. By the end of session, pre- and post-comparison was done for neck pain, disability, range of motion, and CVA. Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed with Winpepe software and Primer software using Wilcoxon signed-rank sum test, Paired t-test, and Mann–Whitney rank sum test. Results: Statistical significance was found between and within the group with respect to pain, disability, and cervical range of motion (P < 0.05). CVA had shown significant results only for within the group. Conclusion: This study concluded that suboccipital release technique along with conventional treatment significantly improve neck pain, disability, and range of motion in forward head posture.
Keywords: Craniovertebral angle, fascia release, neck mobility, neck pain
How to cite this article:
Aggarwal A, Nair A, Palekar TJ, Bhamare D. Effect of suboccipital release technique in forward head posture: A comparative study. Med J DY Patil Vidyapeeth 2022;15:534-7 |
How to cite this URL:
Aggarwal A, Nair A, Palekar TJ, Bhamare D. Effect of suboccipital release technique in forward head posture: A comparative study. Med J DY Patil Vidyapeeth [serial online] 2022 [cited 2022 Jul 3];15:534-7. Available from: https://www.mjdrdypv.org/text.asp?2022/15/4/534/338914 |
| Introduction | |  |
Forward head posture is defined as the malalignment of head that is caused due to the translation of head anteriorly with respect to the trunk.[1] Incidence rate of forward head is 66% among 20–50 years.[2] In forward head posture, weakness of muscles occurs in deep cervical flexors and opposing cervical extensor muscles get shortened.[3] Due to forward head posture, lordosis increases in lower cervical spine which leads to increased extension over the upper cervical spine and flexion over the lower cervical spine.[3] When there is forward head then there is decreased craniovertebral angle (CVA).[4] 49.9° are considered as normal CVA.[5] Causes for forward head posture are poor posture, tight muscles, use of high pillow, studying with low desk height, prolonged computer and smartphone use.[6] Problems associated with the forward head posture are increased neck pain,[7] headaches, temporal mandibular joint dysfunction,[8] decreased neck mobility, increase in kyphosis, and decrease in vital capacity (30%).[6]
There is a soft tissue component that infiltrates the human body known as fascia, which is a fibrous collagen tissue that runs throughout the body. Suboccipital muscles, dura mater, and C2 vertebrae are connected to each other through the fascia. If there is any facial restriction in one part then other part will also get involved. As the fascia runs throughout the body, when undue stress is applied over one part then other parts also gets affected. Fascial restriction can cause the inadequate movement of the muscles.[9]
Hyperirritable point along with tense band of muscle is known as trigger points. During palpation, compression or during stretch, it produces pain and these pains are usually referred pain. There are two types of trigger points. When there is a spontaneous referred pain and when typical radiating pain is produced is known as active trigger point and when there is no immediate pain, it is referred as latent trigger points. Latent trigger point can lead to reduced range of motion and fatigue.[10] When there are triggers point in suboccipital muscles pain radiated toward the sides of the head typically over the occipital and temporal sides, due to which it is typically professed as headache. The reason for activation of trigger points over these muscles might be due to abnormal posture of the cervical spine.[11]
Myofascial release (MFR) technique is a manual therapy that emphasize the application of sustained pressure to release facial restrictions, tightness, and adhesions in any plane responsible for causing pain and reduced range of motion.[12] Goals of MFR are to change the course of bodily functions, to reset imbalances and progress in a balanced state by relieving facial restrictions thus normalizing health, tension, and movement of the body. The present study was undertaken to find added effect of suboccipital MFR in forward head posture.
| Materials and Methods | | |
After the Institutional Ethical Committee approval (DYPCPT/ISEC/32/2019) dated September 26, 2019, 50 participants who gave written informed consent and fulfilled the inclusion criteria (20–35 years,[13] male or female, neck disability index (NDI) >5,[14] CVA <49.9° and tenderness over the suboccipital region) participated in the study. The interventional study was conducted in. Any patient with recent injuries or surgeries in and around the neck region, vertigo, radiating pain in upper limb, spinal deformities, and malignancy in and around the neck region were excluded. The subjects were randomized into Group A (Experimental) and Group B (Control) by chit method. Group A was given conventional treatment (Hydrocollator pack [10 min] followed by scapular setting, neck isometrics, chin tucks [five sets each for three repetitions] and ergonomic advice along with postural care)[14] along with suboccipital release (one set of three repetitions with 3 min hold for 2 weeks). Group B was given only conventional treatment.
Procedure of suboccipital release technique: While the subject was in supine lying, therapist was positioned along head end. The elbows of therapist were supported with forearm supinated. The subject was asked to place his head on palm of therapist. Therapist placed the fingers on the inferior nuchal line and then gently gave stroking. Long axis distraction was applied once the suboccipital muscles were relaxed.[15]
Pre- and post-values for neck pain, disability, and mobility were assessed using numerical pain rating scale,[14] NDI and cervical range of motion using universal goniometer.[16] Furthermore, CVA was recorded using photography analysis.[14] After entering data into Microsoft excel, Winpepi and Primer software were used for data analysis. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and paired t-test were used for comparison within the groups and Mann–Whitney rank sum test was used for between the groups. The level of significance was kept at P < 0.05.
| Results | | |
Out of the 50 samples, either group had 25 subjects. Five were males and forty-five were females.
[Table 1] reports neck pain and disability in experimental and control groups. The P value was statistically significant within group for both outcomes. [Table 2] shows mean difference of neck pain and disability comparison in experimental and control group. The P value was statistically significant showing experimental group was statistically better in improving neck pain and disability. | Table 1: Intragroup comparison of pre post measures for neck pain and disability index
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 | Table 2: Intergroup comparison of mean difference of neck pain and disability index
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[Table 3] reports neck mobility for all movements. The P value was statistically significant in either group. [Table 4] shows mean difference of neck mobility comparison in experimental and control groups. The experimental group was statistically more significant in improving neck ranges in all planes. | Table 3: Intragroup comparison of pre post measures of cervical range of motion in degrees
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 | Table 4: Intergroup comparison of mean difference of cervical range of motion in degrees
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[Table 5] reports CVA for within group and had statistically significant result. On comparison [Table 6], no significant result was seen in the experimental group. | Table 5: Intragroup comparison of pre post measures of craniovertebral angle in degrees
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 | Table 6: Intergroup comparison of mean difference of craniovertebral angle in degrees
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| Discussion | | |
In the present study, we compared the effect of adding suboccipital release technique to neck isometric exercises along with chin tucks in forward head posture. The result showed that adding MFR helps in improving neck pain intensity, disability, ranges but not CVA statistically.
Forward head posture is caused due to the imbalance of muscles which produces undue pressure in the posterior neck muscles. This produces a hyperirritable point called as trigger points.[13] These trigger points result in tenderness and pain. The aim of MFR is to remove barriers in the fascia. This is achieved by stretching the elastic component of the fascia due to this viscosity of the ground substance of the fascia changes. Due to restrictions there is weakness of muscles. Gentle and sustained stretching is believed to release the tightened fascia which in return softens and lengthen the fascia.[17]
In the experimental group, suboccipital release technique was implemented in forward head posture. In a related study conducted by Kim et al.,[1] stated that suboccipital release technique causes decompression of the vagus nerve which runs through the jugular foramen. Tissue stretching and tension over the foramen are relieved when traction along with pressure is applied by the fingers of the therapist over the posterior aspect of the neck and suboccipital muscles. This leads to decrease pain and increased cervical range of motion. When slow and sustained stretching is provided over time, it allows elongation and relaxation of the fascia. Thus, increases range of motion, flexibility, and decreases pain.
In the control group, different physiotherapeutic exercises were given in addition to hydrocollator packs. Results achieved were statistically significant. According to Malanga et al (2015)[18] when hot pack is applied physiological effects occur such as decrease pain, increase blood flow, metabolism, and connective tissue elasticity also increases. When tissue temperature is increased vasodilation occurs, which leads to increased blood flow to the region which ultimately leads to healing that is achieved by increased supply of oxygen and nutrition. Viscoelastic changes occur in collagen tissue due to the application of heat. There is increase in range of motion due to elongation of the tissue. Furthermore, there is improvement in CVA. Kachanathu et al (2015)[19] stated that neck isometric exercises reduce pain because of increase endorphins which usually occurs after training and good neuromuscular control. Muscle stretch receptors get activated when strong muscular contraction occurs during isometric exercises. Chin tucks mainly focuses on the deep flexor muscles of the upper cervical region. It is a low load exercises which involves performing and holding inner range position of craniocervical flexion. This activates and trains deep cervical flexors. Deep cervical flexors are longus capitis and longus colli which are usually weak in forward head posture. This exercise helps to promote strengthening of weak muscles thus improves the cervical range of motion.[20]
| Conclusion | | |
Suboccipital release technique along with conventional treatment significantly improves neck pain, disability, and range of motion in forward head posture.
Acknowledgment
We would like to thank all the participants and our colleagues for their co-operation during the entire process. Special thanks to the departmental chair of Physiotherapy and Orthopedics department of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | | |
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[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4], [Table 5], [Table 6], [Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4], [Table 5], [Table 6]
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