Neck Muscle Stiffness Measured With Shear Wave Elastography in Women With Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain

Abstract

Shear wave elastography revealed similar muscle stiffness in people with and without chronic neck pain, despite the sensation of increased neck stiffness in those with chronic neck pain. Therapeutic interventions aiming to reduce neck muscle tone are often based on the assumption that perceived neck stiffness corresponds to objective muscle stiffness. The current results question this assumption. <i>J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020;50(4):179-188. Epub 6 Jan 2020. doi:10.2519/jospt.2020.8821</i>.