Work-related chronic neck pain is a growing condition in the United States that accounts for 56% to 65% of all occupational disabling injuries. Fifty-four percent of working adults suffer from chronic neck pain within any six-month period and 5% of working adults report that neck pain significantly inhibits daily activities. These conditions have been linked to poor posture in the cervical spine and shoulder. Poor cervical spine posture commonly includes simultaneous extension in the upper vertebrae (C1-C3) and flexion in lower vertebrae (C7-C4). This posture moves the head anterior to the torso and increases the load carried by the upper trapezius (UT). To maintain this posture, the UT is activated and elevates the scapula. Chronic activation of the UT has been correlated to chronic neck pain. Although there is an apparent correlation between poor posture and neck pain, it is unclear whether neck pain causes poor posture or if poor posture causes neck pain.
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