Treatment Options 

Physical and Occupational Therapy | Massage Therapy | Physical Activity | Medications | Self-Management

Evience-based Resources

• Executive Summary – Bone and Joint Task Force on 2000–2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders
• Manual manipulation and mobilization for neck pain – Cochrane Systematic Review
• Acupuncture and neck pain – Cochrane Systematic Review
• Treatment for Neck Pain – CIRPD World Congress on Neck Pain results
• Ways to Deal with Neck Pain – CTV article interviewing Dr. Marc White

Physical and Occupational Therapy  

Neck pain treatment may include seeing a physical therapist. Physical therapy may help relieve neck pain and spinal stiffness. A physical therapist can increase confidence with exercise, help relax tense muscles and teach you more about your body and movement. Similarly, occupational therapists teach you how to reduce strain on your joints during daily activities while maintaining physical fitness. They will show you how to improve your home and work environments to increase proper posture and reduce motions that may aggravate your neck pain. They also may recommend aid devices for daily activities.

Resources

• How can a Physiotherapist Help? – Canadian Physiotherapy Association
• What is Occupational Therapy? – Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists

Massage Therapy  

Registered massage therapists are trained in the assessment of soft tissue and joints of the body and the treatment and prevention of injury, pain and physical disorders.

Resources

• Massage Therapists Association of British Columbia
• Neck Pain and Massage: At a Glance – National Centre for Complimentary and Alternative

Physical Activity  

Physical activity helps improve physical and mental health. It plays a vital role in managing your neck pain. If approached properly, physical activity can reduce stiffness and pain, increase energy and stamina, improve sleep quality and promote weight loss and long-term weight management.

Research has not found any specific type of neck exercise that is better than another type as being more effective in reducing neck pain, however has found that exercise is beneficial. Below are some resources for various exercise routines. There are many fitness centres and organizations that have exercise programs which target people with back pain and arthritis. You can also find more information on simple steps to incorporate physical activity into your everyday life. It’s important to consult your health professional about a routine that is moderate and will strengthen the appropriate muscles in your back and reduce potential harm from doing exercises incorrectly.

Resources

• Research Reviews on Exercise for Neck Pain - Reviews put together by the Cochrane Library on whether exercise is beneficial for neck pain and other MSD conditions.
• Activities to Reduce Neck Pain - Dr. Stan Lubin shares activities that keep neck pain in check.
• Neck Stretches for the Office – A video of stretches you can do in the office to relieve neck pain.
• Exercise at Your Desk - A video of exercises you can do to reduce neck and back pain while at your desk.
• Chest Stretches for Neck Pain – Two stretches that can help balance your posture if you slouch forward too much.
• Neck Exercises – These exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles in your neck while relieving existing neck pain.
• Simple Neck Exercises – A range of quick, simple and easy neck exercises.
• Range of Motion and Strengthening Exercises – Experts at the University of Washington provide videos for increasing range of motion and strength. The shoulder videos can help with neck pain.
• Back Health: Fit in 15 – A site with information on staying active and strengthening your back in 15 minutes a day.
• Physical Activity and Chronic Pain – The benefits of physical activity as a treatment for chronic pain.

Medications   

There is a range of over the counter and prescription medications used for treating neck pain. It is best to check with your physician as to what is best for you.

Self Management   

Living with neck pain can be difficult. Self-management techniques can you help you live well with chronic neck pain. Health professionals and researchers agree that self-care and life skills play vital roles in a person's pain management. Taking action to improve physical fitness, reduce stress and manage your condition can reduce your pain levels and give you more control over your life. The Arthritis Society and the Centre for Aging (University of Victoria) run Self-Management Programs in British Columbia. CIRPD also provides various tips on evidence-based approaches to self-management.

Resources

• Whiplash: What Predicts Recovery? – Web MD Article outlining the importance of expectations of recovery and not using a collar to immobilize the neck. Study associated with World Congress on Neck Pain.
• Ten Sleep Tips – In Sickness and in Health – Canadian Institute for the Relief of Pain and Disability
• Breaking the Cycle: An Overview of Self-Help – King’s College London 

 

Last Updated: June 8, 2011
Reviewed by: Marc White PhD, Scientific & Executive Director, CIRPD