Acupuncture may ease chronic neck pain

Two alternative therapies – acupuncture and the Alexander technique -appear equally beneficial for the long-term relief of chronic neck pain, new research reports.
Both therapies involve educating patients in ways to relieve stress, as well as improve posture and balance. These techniques appeared to help reduce neck pain in the 12 months following treatment compared with drugs and traditional physical therapy, the British researchers said.
“In general, it is difficult to find long-term treatments that have a positive effect on chronic neck pain,” said lead researcher Hugh MacPherson, of the department of health sciences at the University of York. “But, both acupuncture and the Alexander technique lessons did.”