Neck pain is extremely common. Research estimates that nearly half of all people, 48.5%, will experience neck pain during their lifetime. In the United States alone, neck pain costs an estimated $20 billion each year in healthcare expenses and lost productivity.
Neck pain can result from many different disorders and diseases, but the most common cause is mechanical dysfunction. Over time, years of normal use, overuse and misuse place stress on the structures of the neck.
The neck must support the weight of the head while still allowing it to tilt, turn and bend throughout the day. Decades of these repetitive movements eventually lead many people to develop neck pain.
Because it is so common, researchers have increasingly focused on an important question — can future episodes of neck pain be prevented?
Several medical research teams have explored this idea. One group of researchers performed a large scientific review of high-quality studies that examined strategies for preventing future episodes of neck pain. After reviewing the available evidence, they found enough quality data to evaluate two approaches, ergonomic programs and therapeutic exercise programs.
The results were clear. Therapeutic rehabilitation exercise programs reduced the risk of a future episode of neck pain by 53%. Ergonomic programs, however, did not significantly reduce the risk of future neck pain episodes.
These findings are similar to what researchers have discovered about low back pain. Studies show that lumbar rehabilitation exercise programs can reduce the risk of future episodes of low back pain by about 35%.
If a medication existed that could reduce future neck or back pain episodes by 35-53%, it would likely become one of the most profitable drugs in the world. Yet, despite the effectiveness of preventive rehabilitation exercise programs, our healthcare system and insurance industry continue to focus far more heavily on treatment after pain develops rather than prevention beforehand.
Healthcare spending for neck and back pain in the United States exceeds $100 billion annually. Expanding access to preventive rehabilitation programs could not only reduce healthcare costs, but also spare millions of people from unnecessary pain and disability.
The good news is that many future episodes of neck and back pain may be preventable. Therapeutic rehabilitation exercise programs offer patients an evidence-based strategy to reduce their risk and improve long-term spinal health.
If you experience recurring neck or back pain, talk with your healthcare provider about whether a rehabilitation exercise program may be appropriate for you.
Dr. Brian Grieves is a chiropractor with a master’s degree in public health and a member of the Shawano Community Health Action Team.
