A study published in The Annals of Internal Medicine, a highly respected medical journal, found that chiropractic care is more effective for neck pain than medication.

In the study, 272 patients with acute or subacute neck pain received one of three treatments: medication, exercise with guidance from a health practitioner, or chiropractic care. After 12 weeks, patients in the chiropractic and exercise groups experienced the greatest reduction in pain. Compared to those in the medication group, chiropractic and exercise more than doubled the likelihood of complete pain relief.

For patients receiving chiropractic care, these improvements lasted at least a year, showing that chiropractic treatment can provide long-term relief.

Researchers believe the success of chiropractic and therapeutic exercise comes from addressing the underlying cause of neck pain rather than simply masking symptoms. Whether your neck pain is caused by an injury, posture, or long hours at a desk, chiropractic care can help restore normal function and relieve discomfort — without the side effects associated with medication.