Aside from medication, alternatives for pain relief have been researched, including manipulative techniques and cranio-cervical flexion (CCF) exercises for the management of chronic neck pain. A study looked into comparing these interventions for the immediate relief of pain and function.
Both interventions were associated with immediately improved range of motion and pain after treatment, HVLA manipulation was MORE effective than CCF exercises in improving range of motion and reducing pain during movement. Due the multifactoral nature of chronic neck pain, it is important to identify and address the maintaining factors of their pain, to be able offer the best chances of recovery.