An exercise programme focusing on muscle stretching and endurance training can help reduce the incidence of neck pain in office workers, according to a study. Participants in an intervention group of workers received a programme that included daily stretching exercises and twice-weekly endurance training. Over a 12-month period, 12.1% of the intervention group and 26.7% of the control group developed neck pain, and an analysis showed that the exercise programme reduced neck pain and increased flexibility for those with lower than normal neck movement.
Sihawong R et al (2013). “Effects of an exercise programme on preventing neck pain among office workers: a 12-month cluster-randomised controlled trial”. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, first published online 18 October.
