Effect of body-blade exercises on cranio-vertebral angle and pain in individuals with forward head posture

Background: Forward head posture (FHP) is one of the most common postural deviations that are usually associated with disability. This posture impairs proper biomechanical loading and, in the long run, may result in cervical spondylosis. Individuals with FHP always presents with pain and persistence of neck discomfort. Active vibration exercises using the Body-blade can produce muscle contractions by stimulation of the muscle spindles. The goal of this study was to compare between the effect of Body-blade exercises and the traditional treatment on cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) and neck pain in individuals with FHP. Results: There was a significant increase in CVA and pain after treatment in group receiving the combined treatment (Body-blade plus traditional treatment) compared to the increase in CVA after treatment in traditional group (p= 0.017), There was a significant decrease in pain after treatment in the Body-blade group compared to the decrease in pain after treatment in traditional group (p= 0.000). Conclusion: Adding Body-blade exercises to traditional treatment in rehabilitation of individuals with FHP will be of great value in improvement of CVA and neck pain.