Prevalence and anatomical location of muscle tenderness in adults with nonspecific neck/shoulder pain

Clinical neck/shoulder examination at two large office workplaces in Copenhagen, Denmark. 174 women and 24 men (aged 25-65 years) with nonspecific neck/shoulder pain for a duration of at least 30 days during the previous year and a pain intensity of at least 2 on a modified VAS-scale of 0-10 participated. Exclusion criteria were traumatic injuries or other serious chronic disease. Using a standardized finger pressure of 2 kg, palpable tenderness were performed of eight anatomical neck/shoulder locations in the left and right side on a scale of 'no tenderness', 'some tenderness' and 'severe tenderness'.In women, the levator scapulae, neck extensors and infraspinatus showed the highest prevalence of severe tenderness (18-30%). In comparison, the prevalence of severe tenderness in the upper trapezius, occipital border and supraspinatus was 13-19%. Severe tenderness of the medial deltoid was least prevalent (0-1%). In men, the prevalence of severe tenderness in the levator scapulae was 13-21%, and ranged between 0-8% in the remainder of the examined anatomical locations.A high prevalence of tenderness exists in several anatomical locations of the neck/shoulder complex among adults with nonspecific neck/shoulder pain. Future research should focus on several neck/shoulder muscles, including the levator scapulae, neck extensors and infraspinatus, and not only the upper trapezius.ISRCTN60264809A high prevalence of upper extremity pain exists among adults working in sedentary occupations [1]. Neck/shoulder pain is a risk factor for long-term sickness absence among white-collar workers [2], and every other office worker experience neck/shoulder pain on a weekly basis [1,3]. Pain symptoms are believed to worsen in response to prolonged static muscle activity and/or repetitive job tasks [4,5], causing muscle metabolic disturbances [6].Kaergaard and coworkers found a strong correlation between reported neck/shoulder pain and clinically verified muscle tenderness [7]. Especially,