CARMICHAEL, Calif. - (Business Wire)
In a study conducted by the international Neck Pain Task Force of the
Bone and Joint Decade (BJD) of the World Health Organization (WHO) and
reported in the journal SPINE (1/18/08), researchers marginalize
commonly used approaches to treating neck pain and highlight
interventions that were previously viewed with caution. According to the
study and confirmed by the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (
www.F4CP.org),
in cases of neck pain without consistent radiating pain the shoulder or
arm, surgery is rarely advised.
The findings result from a six-year review of more than 31,000 research
citations with subsequent analysis of over 1,000 studies. The
multi-disciplinary report, involving persons from 19 areas of study and
from eight collaborating universities in four countries, is widely
regarded as one of the most extensive reports on the subject of neck
pain ever developed, and it offers the most current perspective on the
scientific evidence related to the care and management of neck pain.
“This study validates that interventions such
as spinal manipulation or spinal adjusting that promote regaining
function and a return-to-work are more beneficial than usual care, sham
or alternative interventions,” says Gerard W.
Clum, D.C., president of CA-based Life Chiropractic College West and
speaking on behalf of the not-for-profit Foundation.
The report proposes a new four-level classification system for neck
pain, with the majority of neck pain problems falling into the Grade I
and Grade II categories of this scale. Problems of this type do not
involve fractures, neoplasms, myelopathy or radicular pain. The report
is provided online at www.spinejournal.com
and will also be published as a special edition in both the North
American and European editions of SPINE.
“A pain in the neck is a common adage for a
good reason -- it is a widespread, annoying, aggravating and disabling
problem affecting up to 70 percent of the population annually,”
explains Dr. Clum. “While this type of
condition does not carry the life-or-death reality of a heart attack or
cancer, it often undermines a person’s quality
of life over decades. People often say that time heals all wounds, but
neck pain may be an exception that does not resolve well over time. In
fact, it tends to worsen over time unless addressed effectively and
efficiently.”
He points out that neck pain is an important factor in the lives of
millions of people around the globe, and is also an important cost
center associated with many workplace injuries as well as many
automobile injuries.
“This authoritative study offers health care
professionals--including primary care physicians, surgeons,
chiropractors, physical therapists and others--a thoroughly documented
overview of the strategies that have been established in the scientific
literature to address neck pain," says Dr. Clum.
The Neck Pain Task Force report offers, "an evidence-based analysis of
what is known about neck pain as opposed to what has been believed or
handed down from one generation of providers to another.
“From my vantage point as a chiropractor,
their recommendations greatly support the approach and forms of care
provided by chiropractors, especially spinal adjustments that have been
central to the practice of chiropractic," says Dr. Clum.
Also presented with the report of the Neck Pain Task Force were a number
of neck-related studies.. One important study brings considerable
question to the linkage between cervical (neck) manipulation and the
development of a unique form of vascular problem known as
vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency or vertebrobasilar artery stroke.
The findings from an analysis of nine years of data involving
approximately 110 million patient years reveal no greater incidence of
this type of problem among chiropractic patients than among patients of
general practitioners.
The Neck Pain Task Force noted in its Executive Summary, “This
is likely explained by patients with vertebrobasilar artery
dissection-related neck pain or headache seeking care before having
their stroke.”
"When a patient develops a vertebrobasilar artery dissection, it
produces neck pain prompting the patient to seek attention –
with many patients choosing to access care from chiropractors or general
practitioners," says Dr. Clum. “The
study concludes that patients do develop stroke symptoms at the same
rate regardless of the type of practitioner they select. This indicates
that the type of care chosen does not contribute to their problem.”
Among the factors that were found to contribute to a better recovery
from bouts of neck pain were a preference for one type of care versus
another from the patient perspective, as well as the attitude of the
patient and the ability to return to normal activities of daily living
and normal work activities.
About the Foundation For Chiropractic Progress
For more information about the report of the Neck Pain Task Force or the
Foundation for Chiropractic Progress visit www.f4cp.com.
Media:
CPR for the Foundation For Chiropractic Progress
Jessica
Giordano, 201-641-1911 x35
jgiordano@cpronline.com
