Effect of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Before Postural Correction Exercise in Adults With Forward Head Posture

Currently, as digital leisure activities increase, more time is spent at home. According to these social trends, it is necessary to establish a program that can safely and effectively perform exercise at home.Therefore, this study assumed that if the trigger point and tension of the upper trapezius are resolved by applying ESWT before implementing the exercise program, it will have a significant effect on pain, functional aspects, and posture improvement. On this account, investigator would like to study the effect of applying ESWT before conducting the exercise program on the muscle activity ratio, craniovertebral angle, pressure pain threshold, and Neck disability index in adults with FHP.

Experimental participants who meet the criteria of the study subjects will be selected, and the experiment will be conducted by coordinating the schedules of the subjects. The experiment will be conducted in an independent space, and the general characteristics of the subjects will be investigated collectively before the experiment. Subjects will take a side photograph from a distance of 265 cm to check the CVA. In addition, the basic value will be obtained by measuring the activity of the UT, MT, LT and SA when the arm is lifted in the direction of the scapula plane, and the pressure pain threshold of the UT Trigger point will be measured using a pain threshold will be measured. In addition, NDI will be self-measured to evaluate neck pain and function. The experiment will be divided into groups that conduct in ESWT and posture correction exercise programs together and groups that conduct only posture correction exercise programs, and the subjects will be randomly assigned to the two groups. After the experiment is completed, the muscle activity, head spine angle, pressure pain threshold, and ranch index measured in advance will be measured again.

ESWT: Radial shock waves will be applied to the main muscles with Trigger points, the Upper trapezius and Levator scapulae muscles. This is conducted twice a week, with 1000impulses, 60mJ/m (2), and 5Hz frequency for a total of four weeks.

Posture Correction Exercise Program: Muscles such as weakened deep neck flexors, middle trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior muscles will undergo strengthening exercises, while muscles such as shortened and overactive upper trapezius, Levator scapulae, and sternocleidomastoid muscle will apply relaxation stretching. This will be conducted privately at home by providing exercise leaflets, and will be conducted for a total of four weeks with a 30-minute program three times a week.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Those with CVA≤53 or less when measuring the Craniovertbral angle through photometric method
* A person who uses a smartphone or computer for an average of 4 hours or more per day
* A person who has not exercised regularly in the past six months

Exclusion Criteria:

* A person who is subject to extracorporeal shock wave contraindication
* A person with a history of fractures or surgery
* A person who is unable to exercise due to medical conditions