The Effectiveness of Manual Physical Therapy and Exercise for Mechanical Neck Pain

October 6th, 2010

Physical Therapy that combines skilled manual therapy and exercise is an effective solution for mechanical neck pain and should be the first choice for patients seeking treatment.  Why?  It works and is cost effective.  It is much better than drugs or costly imaging as a first intervention.

According to APTA, physical therapy offers an evidence-based, time-tested solutions to these common conditions in comparison to alternative treatments.  For neck pain, for example, a recent study published in the medical journal Spine found that when patients received up to six treatments of manual physical therapy and exercise, they not only experienced pain relief, but were also less likely to seek additional medical care up to one year following treatment.

“Physical therapists can help individuals improve mobility and quality of life without expensive surgery or the side effects of pain medication. We give patients the tools they need, such as the home program we used in the study, to help them prevent or manage a condition in order to achieve long-term health benefits.”

 Take a look at the research:

 A Randomized Clinical Trial Spine 2008; 33-2371-2378

  • Manual physical therapy and exercise was significantly more effective in reducing neck pain and disability, of increasing patient perceived improvement during short and long term follow-ups.
  • Statistical and clinical improvement in upper extremity pain scores were demonstrated in all follow-up periods for patients receiving manual physical therapy and exercise.
  • Treatment success rates as determined by those patients achieving a large improvement in symptoms, were significantly greater in the manual physical therapy and exercise group at all follow-up periods.
  • Manual physical therapy and exercise is a safe and effective treatment approach for patients with mechanical neck pain with or without unilateral upper extremity symptoms.

If you are experiencing neck pain, give us a call.  SOL has the skills to help you!


Posted by Tammara Moore, DPT at 4:13 pm: 1 comment

One response to “The Effectiveness of Manual Physical Therapy and Exercise for Mechanical Neck Pain”

  1. Headboard Light writes:

    ~’. I am really thankful to this topic because it really gives up to date information ~”"

    @ January 28th, 2011 at 16:03

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