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[Manual therapy for neck pain: increasing evidence for effectiveness]
1Erasmus MC, afd. Huisartsgeneeskunde, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. b.koes@erasmusmc.nl
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|April 13, 2012
Summary
For neck pain lasting 2-12 weeks, spinal manipulation and home exercises are more effective than medication. Evidence supports manual therapy as a rational choice for persistent neck pain.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Evidence-based medicine
- Pain management
Context:
- Acute neck pain typically resolves with conservative management.
- Persistent neck pain (2-12 weeks) necessitates exploring effective treatment interventions.
- Previous research indicated manual therapy's efficacy and cost-effectiveness.
Purpose:
- To compare the effectiveness of spinal manipulation, home exercise, and medication for subacute neck pain.
- To evaluate treatment options for patients with neck pain duration between 2 and 12 weeks.
Summary:
- A randomized controlled trial (RCT) in the USA found spinal manipulation and home exercise programs superior to medication for neck pain lasting 2-12 weeks.
- The observed differences in treatment effectiveness were modest.
- Findings align with prior research from the Netherlands, strengthening the evidence for manual therapy.
Impact:
- Accumulating evidence supports manual therapy as a rational and effective treatment for persistent neck pain.
- This study contributes to the growing body of evidence favoring non-pharmacological interventions for subacute neck pain.
- Highlights the potential of spinal manipulation and home exercises as alternatives to medication.
