Effect of shoulder steam heat on neck and shoulder pain

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  • 肩こり女性の肩甲部蒸気加温における温熱効果
  • カタコリ ジョセイ ノ ケン コウブ ジョウキカオン ニ オケル オンネツ コウカ

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This study observes the effectiveness of warming the neck and shoulders topically with a heat and steam-generating compress to increase blood flow and alleviate discomfort and seeks to clarify the effects of changed blood flow on symptoms of neck and shoulder pain (NSP) . The subjects, 8 healthy females complaining of NSP, were asked to rest in a seated position for 10 minutes, after which a heat and steam-generating compress was applied topically to the neck and shoulder area for 30 minutes. After removal of the compress, subjects rested an additional 20 minutes. During warming, average skin temperature rose from 33.2℃ to 42.9℃ and blood flow increased significantly both in the skin and in the trapezius muscles. Criteria for measuring the effects of warming were scored highly, with subjects reporting a significant decrease in sensations of stiffness and tightness. There appeared to be a tendency toward the easing of pain as well, although the data did not indicate any significant change. The increase of blood flow in skin and muscles was shown to correlate significantly with an easing of pain. Also, the increase of muscular blood flow was found to correlate positively with an easing of stiffness, while the increase of blood flow in skin correlated positively with an alleviation of tightness. These results indicate that stiffness and tightness, the principal symptoms of NSP, are brought on by differing mechanisms and develop independently of each other.

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