Physiotherapy management of neck pain

In the comprehensive Global Burden of Disease study, which examined 291 different conditions, neck pain emerged as the 21st most burdensome condition overall and the fourth highest in terms of disability. These findings highlight the significant public health implications of neck pain within the general population. A recent article published in the Journal of Physiotherapy provides valuable insights into preferred treatments for individuals experiencing cervicalgia. Based on a thorough literature review, the evidence-based physiotherapy treatments recommended by most clinical guidelines involve a combination of manual therapy, exercise, and education.
As such, patient education plays a crucial role in these interventions, with specific recommendations outlined by the guidelines. These include reassuring patients that neck pain is not indicative of a serious underlying condition, providing information on pain and prognosis (including the importance of avoiding unnecessary imaging), promoting staying active, and educating patients about self-care, exercises, and coping skills to manage stress. Physical exercises, on the other hand, prescribed by physiotherapists for neck pain vary widely, ranging from general land-based or aquatic exercises to neck-specific endurance, strength, stretching, or McKenzie exercises. As for the manual therapy, it encompasses a range of techniques, including mobilizations and manipulations. While the Cochrane review suggests that cervical manipulations have a modest beneficial effect based on low-quality evidence, thoracic manipulations demonstrate a more substantial beneficial effect compared to inactive treatments. In addition, physiotherapists commonly employ conventional Western massage techniques, which have shown promising results in the treatment of neck pain in comparison to no treatment or a placebo, as demonstrated in a small study. By incorporating these evidence-based physiotherapy treatments, healthcare professionals can effectively address neck pain and improve the well-being of patients suffering from this condition.