Diagnostiek en behandeling van nekpijn

Most people experience an episode of usually mild neck pain in their lifetime. After low back pain and shoulder pain, it is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders.

There is currently much uncertainty about diagnostics and treatment options for people with neck pain.

The prognosis for non-specific neck pain is good: 50-70% of people recover within a couple of months.

As regards diagnosis, physical examination is particularly useful to eliminate cervical radiculopathy. There is little to scientifically support the value of additional examinations.

The most effective treatment strategies for people with non-specific neck pain are manual therapy and exercise therapy.

There is no or insufficient scientific evidence that referral of people with neck pain but without cervical radicular symptoms to specialized care is useful.

Given the high probability of a spontaneous favourable outcome in people both with neck pain and cervical radicular symptoms, adopting a wait-and-see policy is the most sensible approach.