Summary This study aimed to ascertain the immediate response of neck pain to vertical oscillatory pressure (central postero-anterior mobilisation of the spine) and to establish the effect of vertical oscillatory pressure on the cardiovascular system. Fifty subjects (20 with neck pain and 30 pain free) received vertical oscillatory pressure, and their pain intensity before, during and five minutes after treatment was monitored using Borg's ten-point pain rating scale. Their systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were measured using a digital electronic sphygmomanometer. Rate pressure product was estimated using standard equation ( Kispert, 1987 ). Another 30 pain-free subjects did not receive treatment but had their sensory perception and cardiovascular parameters monitored, using the same posture and technique as for the experimental subjects. Neck pain intensity decreased from severe to mild after treatment and cardiovascular variables did not change significantly. The responses of systolic blood pressure (decrease) and diastolic blood pressure (increase) in neck pain subjects were similar to those of the untreated controls. In contrast, systolic blood pressure (P It was concluded that vertical oscillatory pressure relieved neck pain without significant cardiovascular/myocardial alterations. This implies that vertical oscillatory pressure may be a safe treatment for neck pain even in the presence of mild/moderate cardiovascular impairment.