What's the Best Approach for Managing Neck Pain?

Little research is available to guide treatment decisions for patients with neck pain. In this trial, researchers randomized 272 patients with neck pain of 2 to 12 weeks' duration and a pain score ≥3 on a 10-point scale to receive one of three interventions: spinal manipulation (including both high-velocity joint thrust manipulation and low-velocity joint oscillation) performed by chiropractors, medication (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, acetaminophen, muscle relaxants, or narcotics) prescribed by physicians, or home exercise after instruction by physical therapists.

At baseline, the mean pain score was about 5 in all groups. At the end of the 12-week intervention, the mean reduction in pain score for the spinal manipulation group (3…