Authors' recommendations: Neck pain is a frequently reported musculoskeletal complaint, which can be disabling and costly to society. Approximately one-third of the general population will experience neck pain at some point; of those, 14% will have symptoms lasting longer than 6 months. Possible causes include compression of neural structures resulting in spasm and radiculopathy; inflammatory, neoplastic, infectious, or degenerative processes; or disruption of tissue secondary to trauma. Many treatment options for neck pain exist. In most cases, neck pain is temporary and can be relieved through rest and conservative therapies, such as immobilization, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and an appropriate exercise program. Components of a typical physiotherapy treatment for chronic neck pain include electrotherapy, ultrasound therapy, heat therapy (hot packs, ice), exercises, manual therapy, and cervical traction. Cervical traction is the act of pulling or stretching, i.e., applying forces to the body to extend a given part or to separate two or more parts. Cervical traction can be performed in an outpatient setting or at home. The type of traction used depends on the patient's age, weight, and medical condition.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2013

URL for published report: The report may be purchased from: http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/crd/?crd=13892

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: HAYES, Inc.

Contact Address: 157 S. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA. Tel: 215 855 0615; Fax: 215 855 5218

Contact Name: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Contact Email: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Copyright: 2013 Winifred S. Hayes, Inc