Comparative Meta-Analysis on Efficacy of Massage and Other Evidence Based Regimens for the Management of Neck Pain

While there is much debate on how to treat neck pain either acute or chronic, the prevalence of it is increasing day by day. Various treatment modalities are being tried/used these days to counter this challenging situation. Allopathic drug therapies, other non invasive techniques’, invasion and surgical procedures and a long list of analgesic, anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant drugs are being prescribed despite of there limited response. Because of the limited and slow response to allopathic medicine, mass are turning to alternative therapies. Research into the mechanisms, side effect profiles, and efficacies of these, alternative therapies has increased in recent years; much more still remains unknown and untested. Herein, we review the literature on allopathic as well as complementary and alternative medicine for pain, with particular emphasis on evidence-based assessments pertinent to the most common alternative therapies, including acupuncture, herbal therapy, massage therapy, hypnosis, tai chi and biofeedback etc.