Studies of the Viscoelastic Characteristics of the Muscles of the Neck and Upper Thorax by the Method of Vibrational Viscoelastometry

The aim of the present work was to study the potential of using vibrational viscoelastometry to measure the viscoelastic characteristics of the superficial skeletal muscles and monitor changes after treatment. A total of 17 volunteers were studied (eight women, nine men, aged 20.5 ± 2.5 years, with no complaints relating to the musculoskeletal system). The modulus of elasticity and the modulus of viscosity of the muscles of the neck and upper thorax were measured before and after sessions of osteopathic manual therapy (OMT).The elasticity and viscosity of these muscles were statistically significantly greater (p = 0.005 and p = 0.012, respectively) in men. After OMT, the main reaction was a decrease in elasticity in men, with an increase in viscosity, which corresponded to relaxation and improvement in blood supply.