title: Conservative treatment for neck pain: medications, physical therapy, and exercise.
abstract: This article offers conservative treatment strategies for patients suffering from musculoskeletal causes of neck pain. Basic pharmacology is reviewed, including that of opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, adjuvants, and topical analgesics. Moreover, indications for therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and modalities are reviewed, along with any supporting literature. Treatment considerations with each category of medication and physical therapy are discussed. This article is meant to serve as a resource for physicians to tailor conservative treatment options to their individual patients.
authors.affiliation: Inpatient Pain Service, Veterans Health Service Greater Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA.
authors.forename: Sanjog
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pangarkar
authors.forename: Paul C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017679:Cryotherapy; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D008349:Manipulation, Orthopedic; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D014143:Traction; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics