Effects of thermotherapy with a Bath additive containing a vasodilator on chronic shoulder-neck pain - Comparison with the existing remedies

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of thermotherapy using a bath additive containing a vasodilation agent on chronic shoulder-neck pain in comparison with conventional remedies. Male subjects reporting chronic shoulder-neck muscle pain and receiving frequent established remedies (group A: acupuncture; group B: massage; and group C: over-the-counter medicine) participated in this study. These treatments were replaced by treatment with carbon dioxide baths containing 3-octylphthalide (KYN) for 2 weeks. Changes in the subjects' symptoms were evaluated during the 2 weeks of KYN use and the following 2 weeks with a return to the initial treatments. Differences in the effects of treatment with KYN were found among these groups. In group B, significant decreases in VAS of overall symptoms in the shoulder-neck region, feelings of muscle tension, pain and difficulty in movement of the shoulder joint, and muscle hardness were found during the 2 weeks using KYN. Although decreasea in the feelings of muscle tension, pain and difficulty in movement of the shoulder joint in group A, and decreases in the feelings of muscle tension, pain, and muscle hardness in group C were found, VAS of overall symptoms and other individual parameters did not significantly change. In conclusion, repeated treatments with KYN are thought to be more effective than conventional remedies. The differences in the effects of the treatment with KYN are ascribed to the etiology and symptoms that led to the subjects' initial remedies. Further studies are necessary to enhance these beneficial effects on shoulder-neck pain.