Pilates Mat Versus Cervical Stabilization Exercises on Myoelectric Activity of Cervical Muscles in Forward Head Posture

Forward head posture (FHP) increases extension of the atlanto-occipital joint and the upper cervical vertebrae as well as flexion of the lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae. Furthermore, this posture causes persistent and abnormal contraction of the suboccipital, neck, and shoulder muscles. Additionally, the muscles around the head and shoulders, including the trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, suboccipital, and temporal, are affected by FHP, which further worsens postural deformity. FHP is the most common deviation from ideal head posture and is characterized by the head projecting forward into the sagittal plane such that it is anterior to the trunk. Head in forward posture can add up to thirty pounds of abnormal leverage on the cervical spine, which pull the entire spine out of alignment, in addition, loss of the physiological lordosis could be a possible cause of pain due to muscular imbalance.

Inclusion criteria

• Subjects of both genders aged 18-25 years old with forward head posture will be included in this study
• Subjects have forward head posture if craniovertebral angle ≤ 50.
• Subjects complain non- specific neck pain for at least 3 months or at least two episodes of non-specific neck pain during the last three months.
• Normal body mass index

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects with any spinal problems
• Subjects with experience in Pilates exercises through the last 3 months of the start of intervention will be excluded from the study
• Previous surgery in the neck and shoulder regions
• Current participation in a structured exercises program
• Neurological symptoms of the upper extremities during screening tests (e.g., Spurling test and upper limb tension tests)
• Red flags suggesting of cancer, infection, vascular insufficiency
• Cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy