New Study Shows Manual Physical Therapy and Exercise Produces Significant Improvements in Neck Pain
ALEXANDRIA, VA, December 12, 2008 — The American Physical
Therapy Association (APTA) is urging patients with musculoskeletal pain
to consider treatment by a physical therapist, in light of a new federal
survey showing that more than one-third of American adults and nearly 12
percent of children use alternative medicine - with back and neck pain
being the top reasons for treatment. Results of the 2007 survey of more
than 32,000 Americans were released December 11 by the National
Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary and Alternative
Medicine.
According to APTA, physical therapy offers an evidence-based,
time-tested solution to these common conditions in comparison to
alternative treatments.
For neck pain, for example, a recent study published in the medical
journal Spine found that when patients received up to
six treatments of manual physical therapy and exercise, they not only
experienced pain relief, but were also less likely to seek additional
medical care up to one year following treatment.
"This study, demonstrating the efficacy of physical therapy for a
condition as widespread as neck pain, is particularly relevant in
today's challenging economic environment," according to the study's lead
researcher and APTA spokesman Michael Walker, PT, DSc, OCS, CSCS,
FAAOMPT. "The Kaiser Foundation, for instance, recently found that more
than half of all Americans are not taking prescribed medication and
postponing needed medical care in an effort to save money. It is
important for consumers to know that there are effective, conservative
solutions such as physical therapy available.1"
Walker's study compared the effectiveness of a three-week program of
manual physical therapy and exercise to a minimal intervention treatment
approach for patients with neck pain.
Study participants consisted of 94 patients with a primary complaint
of neck pain, 58 (62%) of whom also had radiating arm pain. Patients
randomized to the manual physical therapy and exercise group received
joint and soft-tissue mobilizations and manipulations to restore motion
and decrease pain, followed by a standard home exercise program of chin
tucks, neck strengthening, and range-of-motion exercises. Patients in
the minimal intervention group received treatment consistent with the
current guidelines of advice, range-of-motion exercise, and any
medication use prescribed by their general practitioner. Patients did
not have to complete all six visits if their symptoms were fully
resolved.
Sample exercises to relieve neck pain can be found on the APTA Web
site, www.moveforwardpt.com.
Results show that manual physical therapy and exercise was
significantly more effective in reducing mechanical neck pain and
disability and increasing patient-perceived improvements during short-
and long-term follow-ups. These results are comparable with previous
studies that found manual physical therapy and exercise provided greater
treatment effectiveness (Hoving et al, 2002)2 and cost
effectiveness (Kothals-de Bos et al, 2003)3 than general
practitioner care.
"Physical therapist intervention can be an effective, high-value,
conservative solution for treatment of musculoskeletal pain," said
Walker.
"Physical therapists can help individuals improve mobility and
quality of life without expensive surgery or the side effects of pain
medication. We give patients the tools they need, such as the home
program we used in the study, to help them prevent or manage a condition
in order to achieve long-term health benefits."
Physical therapists are highly-educated, licensed health care
professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore
mobility — without expensive surgery or the side effects of
medications. APTA represents more than 70,000 physical therapists,
physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy
nationwide. Its purpose is to improve the health and quality of life of
individuals through the advancement of physical therapist practice.
Learn more about conditions physical therapists can treat at www.moveforwardpt.com, and find a physical therapist
in your area at www.findapt.us.
1 http://www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/h08_posr102108pkg.cfm
2 Hoving JL, Koes BW, de Vet HC, van der Windt DA, et al.
Manual Therapy, Physical Therapy, Or Continued Care by a General
Practitioner for Patients with Neck Pain. Ann Intern Med 2002;136
(10):713-722
3 Korthals-de Bos IB, Hoving JL, van Tulder MW, et al.
Cost effectiveness of physiotherapy, manual therapy, and general
practitioner care for neck pain: economic evaluation alongside a
randomised controlled trial. BMJ 2003;326 (7395):911