The best treatment for chronic neck pain is…
A. Acupuncture
B. Alexander Technique
C. Physical Therapy
Answer: Actually, both A and B are correct, so it’s a bit of a trick question!
The Alexander Technique, which teaches methods to improve posture and relieve body tension, was as effective as acupuncture, according to a new randomized controlled study of 517 British patients.
Everyone got “standard care,” which includes physical therapy. But those who also got either 12 50-minute sessions of acupuncture or up to 20 30-minute one-on-one sessions with an Alexander Technique teacher got significant relief from neck pain over 12 months…and the relief got better and better as the year progressed. That was in contrast to a third group that got only standard care.
The study didn’t explore combining the two approaches, but both are also helpful for back pain, according to Bottom Line expert Jack Stern, MD, PhD. Other effective approaches for chronic neck pain include qigong and yoga.
Simply have a crick in your neck? Try Bottom Line’s article, 5 Simple Stretches to Ease That Stiff Neck.