Therapeutic modalities in the management of nonspecific neck pain.

This article has surveyed several therapeutic modalities, including physical modalities, thermal modalities, electrical modalities, exercise therapy, behavioral therapy, education, and laser therapy. Of these, exercise, mobilization, and manipulation have the greatest support in the literature, whereas thermal treatments (including therapeutic ultrasound), and electrical therapies (including TENS) have little evidence of effectiveness and no evidence for more than a transient benefit. There is a need for well-controlled studies of educational programs and behavioral interventions specifically for patients with chronic neck pain, particularly because these interventions are often employed as part of a multimodal treatment program. Low-power laser treatment and magnetic therapy require some well-controlled studies before they can be recommended to neck pain patients or discarded as worthless interventions. Cervical traction and soft collars seem to be generally ineffective for nonspecific neck pain.