Chronic Neck Pain Affects Shoulder Muscle Activation

Using surface electromyography to assess multiple muscles in the neck and shoulder region, researchers observed increased onset delays in the anterior and middle deltoid and a peak delay in the upper trapezius muscle among participants with chronic neck pain that were not observed in those without a history of neck pain. The findings suggest that neck pain may be associated with dysfunction in the shoulder and may need to be addressed to achieve an optimal outcome for patients with neck pain, shoulder pain, or both. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, October 2019