A seven-year international study found that some alternative therapies such as acupuncture, neck manipulation and massage, are better choices for managing most common neck pain than many conventional medical practices. Other good options for relief included exercises, education, neck mobilization, low level laser therapy and pain relievers.
Therapies such as neck collars and ultrasound were not recommended, and corticosteroid injections and surgery, according to the study, should only be considered if there is associated pain, weakness or numbness in the arm, fracture or serious disease.
The study also looked into the association between chiropractic care of the neck and stroke. It found that patients who visit a chiropractor are no more likely to experience a stroke than are patients who visit their family physician.