Prevalence of levator scapulae muscle tightness and its association with nonspecific neck pain in beauticians

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Beauticians often experience work-related discomfort due to repetitive arm movements and awkward neck and shoulder postures. Such occupational demands can overwork the levator scapulae (LS), leading to tightness. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of LS tightness and its association with nonspecific neck pain among beauticians, providing insight for preventive ergonomic strategies. AIM: The aim is to find the prevalence of LS muscle tightness and its association with nonspecific neck pain in beauticians. SETTING AND DESIGN: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in beauty parlors and salons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 154 beauticians were evaluated for LS muscle length, neck pain intensity, and demographic details. The LS Index (LSI), calculated by measuring distances between bony landmarks, was used to assess muscle tightness – a lower LSI indicating reduced extensibility. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Descriptive statistics were used for demographic analysis and prevalence estimation, while correlations were assessed using Spearman’s test. RESULTS: About 41% of participants exhibited LS tightness, while 29% reported nonspecific neck pain of varying intensity. No statistically significant correlation was found between LSI and neck pain intensity. However, a weak but significant positive correlation was observed between years of experience and pain intensity. Gender-wise distribution of variables showed that mean LSI values in females were lower compared to those in males. CONCLUSION: LS tightness is highly prevalent among beauticians, reflecting the physical demands of their profession. While muscle tightness did not correlate with pain, prolonged exposure to static and posture-dependent activities appears to contribute to muscular adaptations that may increase the risk of discomfort over time.