Treatment Of Chronic Neck Pain Research Articles

Efficacy of 300 mW, 830 nm Laser in the Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain: A Survey in a General Practice Setting

We evaluated the effectiveness of 300 mW, 830 nm laser in the management of patients with chronic neck pain, in general practice, between May 1998 and June 1999. Data was obtained from 78 patients who rated self-assessed improvement of symptoms on a visual analog scale. An average improvement of 67.5 percent was found in 48 patients who reported a positive response to treatment. Number of treatments was the only factor that correlated with a positive response reaching a plateau by 15. Low level laser therapy using this wavelength and power of infrared laser may provide a nondrug, noninvasive option for the management of neck pain. This study lends support for a randomized-controlled trial to further evaluate this therapy.

Actieve behandeling van chronische nekpijn: een prospectief, gerandomiseerd onderzoek

Active treatment of chronic neck pain: A prospective randomized intervention [Spine 2000;25(8):1021-7]

Botulinum toxin A for the treatment of chronic neck pain

A clinical study tested the therapeutic efficacy of Botulinum toxin A (BTXA) when injected into symptomatic neck muscles after one injection session. Patients with chronic neck pain were randomly assigned to receive either a high dose of an active treatment or an injection of the same volume of normal saline. Patients were compared for 4 months using a comprehensive set of outcome measures that included the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (Spine 24 (1999) 1290) and pressure algometry (Arch Phys Med Rehabil 67 (1986) 406; Pain 30 (1987) 115; Clin J Pain 2 (1987) 207). Analyses were consistent in showing significant benefits from the injection session; however, the effects were not specific to the group treated with BTXA. Both treatment and control groups showed a significant decline in pain and disability across time and an increased ability to withstand pressure on trigger points. The heavy incidence of adverse events in the treatment group may partly explain the absence of a treatment effect specific to BTXA. The results show that a single dose treatment without physical therapy is not effective for chronic neck pain.

Randomised trial of acupuncture compared with conventional massage and "sham" laser acupuncture for treatment of chronic neck pain.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of acupuncture and conventional massage for the treatment of chronic neck pain.Design: Prospective, randomised, placebo controlled trial.Setting: Three outpatient departments in Germany.Participants: 177 patients aged...

The Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain

The Treatment of Chronic Neck Pain

Quantitative cervical flexor strength in healthy subjects and in subjects with mechanical neck pain.

Although weakness of anterior cervical muscles is postulated to contribute to persistent neck pain in patients with mechanical neck pain, quantitation of weakness has never been reported. We compared anterior cervical muscle strength in 30 subjects with mechanical neck pain and in 30 asymptomatic control subjects. Testing was performed with the subject supine, chin retracted, and neck flexed. Assessment was made using a hand-held dynamometer with head held at the midline and with rotation left and right within a pain-free range. Analysis with Wilcoxon scores showed that patients with neck pain had significantly less (p less than .05) strength (N.Kg-1) in all three positions than controls (1.16 +/- 0.49 vs 1.71 +/- 0.42, sagittally; 1.01 +/- 0.52 vs 1.47 +/- 0.41, rotation left; .99 +/- 0.46 vs 1.43 +/- 0.43 rotation right; neck pain vs control, respectively.) This weakness and its role in persistent neck pain should be recognized. The efficiency and effect of cervical muscle strengthening in treatment of chronic neck pain should be further defined.