Neck Pain Treatment:
Results of the Bone and Joint
Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on
Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders
Whiplash and neck pain are complex injuries involving the delicate soft
tissues and the nerves of your neck. Usually, motor vehicle accidents
are responsible for these types of traumas. Even low-speed collisions
can produce significant injury. People with these types of injuries may
have central or back pain, arm pain, and even headaches or
dizziness/vertigo. Some people with minor muscle strains will recover
quickly but a large percentage will develop chronic problems leading to
suffering that can last for months or even years.
Many different doctors, such as chiropractors and medical physicians,
osteopaths and surgeons, treat neck pain with a wide variety of methods.
It is important to sort out which treatments really work from those
that are costly, useless, or even harmful.
In addition to treatments provided by doctors, there are many physical
therapists, personal trainers, masseuses and any number of home remedies
that people seek out in trying to get some relief for their severe
pain. To a patient faced with all of these different options in can seem
quite daunting to decide which approach to choose since all can seem
reasonable. It would be nice if doctors could come to some agreement
rather than forcing patients into the health care maze.
Fortunately researchers have recently brought some attention to this
complicated field. The prestigious medical journal SPINE recently
published the results of a best-evidence review of all treatments for
neck pain (Hurwitz, et. al. Spine 2008;33:S123-52). The Bone and Joint
Decade Task Force reviewed literature of non-invasive treatments (no
surgery) from 1980 through 2006. A total of 139 papers were considered
scientifically valid for review and covered treatments such as
educational videos, mobilization (deep stretching movements), manual
therapy (done by hand), low level laser therapy, exercises, and
acupuncture. In addition to pain relief, the scientists also considered
costs and safety. Their conclusion was that treatments involving manual
therapy and exercise are more effective than alternative strategies for
patients with neck pain.