Effects of the Shock Wave Therapy Based on Stretching Exercises on Muscle Tone and Neck Range of Motion of Upper trapezius and Sternocleidomastoid in People with Forward Head Posture Cho Jun Hyung1, Choi Jung Hyun1 1Dept. Physical therapy, Namseoul University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea Online published on 14 May, 2018. Abstract This study examined how change the range of motion(RoM) of the neck and muscle tone of upper trapezius(UT) and Sternocleidomastoid(SCM) through the extracorporeal shock wave therapy(ESWT) and stretching exercise applied to subjects. Total 30 subjects who had forward head posture(FHP) in twenties healthy male and female each fifteen were applied with active stretching exercises (SE group) and additionally the extracorporeal shock wave therapy to 15 subjects for 7 weeks, total 14 times, twice a week (ESWT group). Before and after applying these experiments, in order to confirm the muscle tone of upper trapezius, sternocleidoma stoid, and the neck RoM of the subjects with FHP were measured by a goniometer. It was noticeable that in the tone of upper trapezius, the angle of neck extension and left bending, there were significant differences statistically in both groups. In addition, in the measurements of right bending of these group, there was a significant difference compared to between pre-intervention and post-intervention. On the other hand, there were no significant differences from sternocleidomastoid and neck flexion compared to between pre and post intervention in those two groups. E ven though there were no significant figures from the muscle tone of SCM and the angle of neck flexion, there were the other significant differences values. Moreover, it was ascertainable that without the extracorporeal shock wave therapy, the only conducting the stretching exercise to the subjects would work on the tone of upper trapezius, left and right neck bending and extension. Applying the stretching exercise could work on upper trapezius and the angle of neck extension and side bendings in the people who have forward head posture. Top Keywords forward head posture, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, stretching exercises, Myoton, sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius. Top |