Research supports the use of physiotherapy for strengthening regimes of the neck muscles in patients with chronic neck pain. In this study of 100 females with chronic neck pain, 12 weeks of strength training using 3 different methods all led to improvements in pain and function compared to a control group with on intervention. Further studies have demonstrated improved neck pain, disability and mobility in patients receiving 5 sessions of manual therapy to the thoracic spine compared to a control group receiving electrotherapy. This would support the use of manual therapy for cervical neck pain on an individual basis for up to 5-6 sessions.
For neck pain with nerve root involvement the evidence supports up to 3 sessions of physiotherapy weekly for 3 weeks comprising manual therapy and therapeutic exercise to improve neck pain, disability and range of movement. A further study supports the use of manual therapy and nerve gliding exercises for 8 weeks in patients with neck and arm pain, in relation to lowering pain levels and improving disability scores.
