In 2010 a research review conducted by Bronfort et al summarised current available evidence for the effective treatment of neck pain, with strong evidence in support of:
- Mobilisation combined with exercise for acute whiplash-associated disorders.
- Spinal manipulation/mobilisation combined with exercise for chronic non-specific neck pain.
- Thoracic spinal manipulation/mobilisation is effective for acute/subacute non-specific neck pain.
- Spinal manipulation is similar to mobilisation for chronic non-specific neck pain.
- Massage therapy for non-specific chronic neck pain.
Further research published in 2010 compared combined treatment (manipulation, mobilisation & exercise) with manipulation or mobilisation alone. It concluded that the combination of manual therapy and exercise produces greater improvements in pain, function, quality of life and patient satisfaction (Miller J. et al, 2010).
All of the practitioners at the Blackberry Clinic take a detailed case history and provide a thorough physical examination to determine the cause of your neck pain. This then enables them to advise you on the best course of action to ensure that your pain is reduced as quickly as possible. If referral to another practitioner is deemed necessary, the wide range of specialists at the Blackberry Clinic makes this process quick and straightforward. As well as treating musculoskeletal injuries very well, our practitioners are highly skilled in detecting whether manual therapy is the best treatment option for your particular case, or whether onward referral/further investigation would be more beneficial. This may include x-ray, fluoroscopic examination, injection or prolotherapy treatment. You may find that your practitioner recommends a combination of therapies in order to best manage your pain.
In more recent research, it was concluded that for acute and subacute neck pain, Spinal Manipulative Therapy was more effective than medication in both the short and long term (Bronfort et al, 2012). However, a few instructional sessions of home exercise with advice resulted in similar outcomes at most time points.
It is also suggested that sensori-motor control may be affected in patients with neck pain, in particular those who have whiplash-associated disorders. This means that treatment should include a rehabilitation approach to reduce pain, restore neck joint position sense and improve muscle activation.
Acupuncture may play a key role in reducing neck pain. A recent trial found that acupuncture was significantly effective for patients presenting with chronic mechanical neck pain compared to placebo treatment.
Our Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Physiotherapists supplement all their treatments with home exercises specific to the individual patient to obtain optimal recovery. If you are suffering with neck pain or have any concerns, book a consultation with one of our practitioners who can further discuss your concerns and advise you on the best plan of action.
Appointment line: 01908 604666
Contributing Authors
References
Bronfort G, Haas M, Evans R, Leininger B, Triano J: Effectiveness of manual therapies: the UK evidence report. Chiropr Osteopat 2010, 18:3.
Bronfort G, Evans R, Anderson AV, Svendsen KH, Bracha Y, Grimm RH. (2012). Spinal manipulation, medication, or home exercise with advice for acute and subacute neck pain: a randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 156 (1), 1-10.
Hoving JL, Koes BW, de Vet HC, van der Windt DA, Assendelft WJ et al. Manual Therapy, Physical Therapy, or Continued Care by a General Practitioner for Patients with Neck Pain: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Ann Intern Med. 2002;136:713-722.
Miller J., Gross A., D’Sylva J., Burnie S., Goldsmith C., Graham N., Haines T., Brønfort G., Hoving J. (2010) Manual therapy and exercise for neck pain: A systematic review. Manual Therapy 15(2010) 334-354.
Treleaven, J. (2008) Sensorimotor disturbances in neck disorders affecting postural stability, head and eye movement control. Manual therapy, 13, 2-11
White, P. et al (2004) Acupuncture versus placebo for the treatment of chronic mechanical neck pain. Annals of Internal Medicine, 141(12), 911-919
