What treatments are available?

Physical treatments

Physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths are all trained to treat neck problems. Manual treatments carried out by one of these therapists are often all that is needed. Sometimes manipulation is uncomfortable at the time, so it is important that you understand what is involved. Make sure you talk to your therapist about the treatments before they start.

Collars

There is no evidence that these are any help for short-lived or long-lived neck pain. Some people find they help at night to keep the neck in a good position while they are asleep. An alternative for use at night is a 'neck pillow', which is a specially shaped piece of moulded foam. These are available from good department stores.

Injections

In some cases an injection may help. The injection may be a long-acting local anaesthetic or a steroid preparation, and may be given into the small facet joints of the neck or sometimes into the narrow spaces where the nerves emerge from the spine. These injections are usually given by a specialist (a radiologist or anaesthetist) and are performed in an x-ray department so that the specialist can see exactly where the injection is going.

Surgery

Only rarely is surgery necessary. Surgery may help if a nerve is pinched and it is causing weakness or severe pain which won't go away. The surgeon will ask for a scan to look at the nerves and bones before discussing with you the need for the operation and the pros and cons of surgery.

Other treatments

Acupuncture can help relieve neck pain. At the moment there is no evidence that reflexology or a change in diet are effective.