Fact Check: Can Scarf Stretch fix Cervical Pain?

An Instagram reel claims that Scarf Stretch can fix Cervical pain and cervical spondalitis. The claim is HALF TRUE.

Claim

In an Instagram reel, it is claimed that Scarf Stretch treats Cervical Pain. The reel by medimanch is captioned as, "How to treat pains with chunni scarf" and it is said, "The cervical spine is the uppermost part of your backbone. To begin, take a scarf and place it behind your neck like this. Yes, bring both ends under your armpits like this. Make sure there is no stretch or pressure on the neck. Adjust the cloth slightly downward.

Now, between the two shoulder blades—what we call the scapula bones—there is generally a gap of about four to six fingers. Place your foot behind that gap. With both hands, apply an equal stretch and you’ll feel the maximum pull on the cervical and shoulder region. If any nerve in that area is compressed, it will get released, and you’ll feel a lightness in your neck—a deep sense of relief and bliss. By doing this pressure stretch two to three times regularly, you can cure cervical with consistent practice. The video does warn that this should be done under the supervision of a medical practitioner"

The claim can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim is HALF TRUE. While some evidence suggests that neck stretching may help relieve cervical pain, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus supporting the claim that using a scarf stretch can cure cervical pain permanently. In fact, if used inappropriately, scarf stretching may even cause harm.

What is Cervical?

Cervical or Cervical pain (Cervical radiculopathy), often referred to as a "pinched nerve," occurs when a nerve in the neck is compressed or irritated where it exits the spinal cord. This can lead to pain radiating into the shoulder or arm, as well as muscle weakness and numbness. In most cases, cervical pain is caused by degenerative changes in the spine, such as arthritis, that develop with age. However, in younger individuals, it is typically due to a sudden injury that results in a herniated disc. Sometimes, the onset of symptoms occurs without a specific traumatic event.

Can Scarf Stretch Treat Cervical Pain?

The “scarf stretch” may offer temporary relief for mild muscular tension in the neck, but there is no scientific evidence that it treats underlying causes of cervical pain, such as nerve compression, disc problems, or chronic conditions.

Neck exercises may help reduce cervical pain and improve neck function. In a study by Bryan G. Anderson et. al., young adults who followed a six-week neck stretching and strengthening routine experienced better neck strength, increased movement, and less pain.

Further, findings from the study by Seung Kyu Park et. al. demonstrated that cranio-cervical exercises effectively improved muscle function and posture in patients with cervicogenic headaches, which are caused by issues in the cervical spine.

Therapeutic interventions may also play a key role in managing cervical spondylosis. Robert Haładaj et. al.'s study found that both therapeutic approaches such as Saunders device and high-intensity laser therapy enhanced functional performance and provided pain relief in patients with cervical spondylosis, both immediately after treatment and over the medium term.

It can be concluded that stretching may help relieve cervical pain; however, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the user’s claim.

Talking to Medical Dialogues, Dr. Kiran Lingutla, Clinical Director & Sr. Consultant, Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon said, "Well, scarf stretch of upper back can correct the posture for a temporary period and give you some amount of symptom relief. However, it is advisable that you maintain an adequate posture when you are sitting and standing so that your spine is erect and your head is in neutral position. And In this position, there is less amount of stress on the muscles of your upper back and they tend to get tired less easily. So, I would suggest that when you are walking or when you are sitting, you have to maintain an erect posture, maintain your back upright, and keep exercising. One of which is a yoga Surya Namaskar exercise which is very beneficial for the back which provides excellent range of movement exercises in all the segments from the connect to the lower back."

To this Dr Brahmaraju T J, Sr Consultant - Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement Surgery, Gleneagles, BGS Hospital Kengeri, Bengaluru added "In cervical spondylolysis usually the joint and muscles become inflamed and undergo stiffness. Patient feels stiffness and pain around the neck and shoulder blade region. So the common treatment followed by an orthopedic surgeon is to prescribe medication which reduce the inflammation and relaxes the muscle and once the pain relief is there we ask them to do stretching of the neck joints and strengthening of the neck and shoulder muscles. So, we teach them a standard stipulated exercises. If you ask me whether scarf stretching is a relief for cervical spondylosis. This is another form of stretching of the neck muscles, but this is done by another person rather than the patient himself. So, this can give a temporary relief for the patient, but not a permanent relief. And this cannot be done on day-to-day basis. So, it is better to follow a stipulated standard exercises for keeping the muscles and joints stretched rather than depending on scarf stretchers."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

The claim that a scarf stretch can treat cervical pain is HALF TRUE. While it might provide brief relief for muscular tightness, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus supporting its use to cure cervical pain or recommending it as a first-line treatment. In some cases, it could cause harm if used inappropriately.

Hence, the claim is HALF TRUE.