Cervical kinesiotherapy: features of biokinematics, ergonomics, gymnastics

Neck pain (NP) is a common worldwide problem. In recent years, neck pain among young people has become especially important. Hypodynamia, biomechanical disorders and incorrect ergonomics of the workplace are common causes of neck pain among office workers and students. Kinesiotherapy is widely used for treatment and prevention of NP. This is a complex therapeutic and preventive measure with combination of gymnastics, ergonomics of work and everyday life taking into account the peculiarities of anatomy and biokinematics. Cervical spine biomechanics is extremely complex. Clinical significance of physical and instrumental examination of cervical spine is limited. Correct posture is optimal balance with minimal stress on musculoskeletal structures. The authors consider ergonomically justified parameters of work at the computer and during sleep, as well as methods of posture modeling. Different exercises have a positive effect on neck pain and disability. Physical training affects all components of pain, not just local source of nociception. At present, no significant differences in effectiveness of different therapeutic physical trainings (TPT) have been found. The proposed complexes of specialized exercises for the neck are speculative in nature and based on some general assumptions that have little correlation with real biokinematics. Available clinical guidelines do not provide specific recommendations regarding the type and dosage of exercise. Adherence to TPT is important for treatment outcomes. Combination of ergonomic interventions and workplace exercise can reduce NP and increase productivity among office workers in long-term period. Prospects for increasing the effectiveness of kinesiotherapy using mobile applications are discussed.