The effectiveness of manual therapy for neck pain: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

A systematic review of randomised, controlled trials was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of manual therapy for mechanical neck disorders in reducing pain and disability in adult populations. Neck pain is a common ailment that can result in pain, disability and considerable cost. Manual therapy is a treatment modality commonly sought by patients to manage neck pain. A literature search of MEDLINE, CENTRAL, CINHAL, SPORTdiscus, PEDro and MANTIS was conducted. Articles were included if manual therapy was performed on one group within the trial, on participants with mechanical neck pain, including neck disorders with associated headache. Studies were excluded if the cause of neck pain ..