Manual Therapy Best for Neck Pain

New study findings suggest that for some neck pain, manual therapy may be more effective than exercise, painkillers, and other standard treatments.

Researchers reported that this "hands-on" technique worked better than exercise therapy or routine care from a medical doctor, for patients with neck pain due to muscle or joint strain. The researchers used specific mobilization techniques involving range-of-motion and slowly applied pressure. At the end of the study, about 68% of manual-therapy patients said they were "completely recovered" or "much improved," compared with 51% of those on exercise therapy and 36% of patients continuing their usual care.