Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2011 Jul 22:12:169.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-12-169.

Prevalence and anatomical location of muscle tenderness in adults with nonspecific neck/shoulder pain

Lars L Andersen  1 , Klaus Hansen, Ole S Mortensen, Mette K Zebis
Affiliations

Prevalence and anatomical location of muscle tenderness in adults with nonspecific neck/shoulder pain

Lars L Andersen et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. .

Abstract

Background: Many adults experience bothersome neck/shoulder pain. While research and treatment strategies often focus on the upper trapezius, other neck/shoulder muscles may be affected as well. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the prevalence and anatomical location of muscle tenderness in adults with nonspecific neck/shoulder pain.

Methods: Clinical neck/shoulder examination at two large office workplaces in Copenhagen, Denmark. 174 women and 24 men (aged 25-65 years) with nonspecific neck/shoulder pain for a duration of at least 30 days during the previous year and a pain intensity of at least 2 on a modified VAS-scale of 0-10 participated. Exclusion criteria were traumatic injuries or other serious chronic disease. Using a standardized finger pressure of 2 kg, palpable tenderness were performed of eight anatomical neck/shoulder locations in the left and right side on a scale of 'no tenderness', 'some tenderness' and 'severe tenderness'.

Results: In women, the levator scapulae, neck extensors and infraspinatus showed the highest prevalence of severe tenderness (18-30%). In comparison, the prevalence of severe tenderness in the upper trapezius, occipital border and supraspinatus was 13-19%. Severe tenderness of the medial deltoid was least prevalent (0-1%). In men, the prevalence of severe tenderness in the levator scapulae was 13-21%, and ranged between 0-8% in the remainder of the examined anatomical locations.

Conclusions: A high prevalence of tenderness exists in several anatomical locations of the neck/shoulder complex among adults with nonspecific neck/shoulder pain. Future research should focus on several neck/shoulder muscles, including the levator scapulae, neck extensors and infraspinatus, and not only the upper trapezius.

Trial registration: ISRCTN60264809.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow of participants.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Palpation of the eight examined neck/shoulder locations (only illustrated for the right side).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Janwantanakul P, Pensri P, Jiamjarasrangsri V, Sinsongsook T. Prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms among office workers. Occup Med (Lond) 2008;12:436–438. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqn072. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Andersen LL, Mortensen OS, Hansen JV, Burr H. A prospective cohort study on severe pain as a risk factor for long-term sickness absence in blue- and white-collar workers. Occup Environ Med. 2010. - PubMed
    1. Blangsted AK, Sogaard K, Hansen EA, Hannerz H, Sjogaard G. One-year randomized controlled trial with different physical-activity programs to reduce musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck and shoulders among office workers. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2008;12:55–65. - PubMed
    1. Buckle P. Ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders: overview. Occup Med (Lond) 2005;12:164–167. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqi081. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Blangsted AK, Hansen K, Jensen C. Muscle activity during computer-based office work in relation to self-reported job demands and gender. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2003;12:352–358. doi: 10.1007/s00421-003-0805-7. - DOI - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

Associated data