Neck Pain
Neck pain refers to discomfort affecting the neck and may be accompanied by related disability, such as difficulty carrying out usual activities. It is a musculoskeletal health concern rather than a description of one specific intervention.
Neck Pain is a musculoskeletal health topic, providing a focused starting point for understanding this area.
This list shows research findings, not treatments. Nothing here replaces medical care. If you have this condition, talk to a doctor.
What may help
What studies found for each option, best evidence first.
16 options:2 some evidence7 not enough evidence6 not tested in people1 no benefit found
Cupping TherapypracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 5 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A 2018 meta-analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials reported reduced pain and improved function compared with no intervention and active controls. A 2023 review also found evidence supporting efficacy, though the included evidence varied in quality.
Open the Cupping Therapy pagePilatespracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 3 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
In adults with chronic neck pain (>3 months), a 2025 pooled analysis of eight randomized trials found pain and disability benefits compared with control, but results were mixed when Pilates was compared with other exercise.
Open the Pilates pageAcupuncturepracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A 2025 meta-analysis of 26 randomized trials found reductions in pain intensity, functional disability, and pain perception compared with inert treatment.
Open the Acupuncture pageCardiopracticeNot enough evidence
QigongpracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A meta-analysis of 13 randomized trials found that Baduanjin reduced VAS pain scores and improved general efficacy for neck pain.
Open the Qigong pageRed Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation)practiceNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A 2025 review pooling randomized trials reported low-certainty findings for pain reduction and improved pressure pain threshold.
Open the Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation) pageYogapracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
Four of five studies, involving 278 people in total, found greater or similar improvements in neck disability, pain intensity, and range of motion compared with stretching, Pilates, or no intervention.
Open the Yoga pageForest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku)practiceNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A systematic review of randomized and non-randomized human studies included one study of people with posterior neck pain, in which forest bathing reduced VAS pain and neck disability.
Open the Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku) page
The expert view shows every study, dose protocol and source.
What may help
Interventions recorded as helping with this condition16 listedMost likely to help, from the evidence we have
- →PracticesCupping TherapyCertaintyMediumSourceRCT
A 2018 meta-analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials reported reduced pain and improved function compared with no intervention and active controls. A 2023 review also found evidence supporting efficacy, though the included evidence varied in quality.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Chronic Urticaria
- Herpes Zoster
- Hypertension
- Migraine
- Neck Pain
- +3 more
Open Cupping TherapyStudy result
Meta-analysis of 18 RCTs showing significant pain reduction and functional improvement compared with no intervention and active controls.
- →PracticesPilatesCertaintyMediumSourceRCT
In adults with chronic neck pain (>3 months), a 2025 pooled analysis of eight randomized trials found pain and disability benefits compared with control, but results were mixed when Pilates was compared with other exercise.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Back Pain
- Neck Pain
- Scoliosis
Open PilatesStudy result
Meta-analysis of five RCTs in patients with neck pain examining pain and disability outcomes.
Low probability(13)
- →PracticesAcupunctureCertaintyLowSourceRCT
A 2025 meta-analysis of 26 randomized trials found reductions in pain intensity, functional disability, and pain perception compared with inert treatment.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open AcupunctureStudy result
Meta-analysis of 26 RCTs showing significant reductions in pain intensity, functional disability, and pain perception compared with inert treatment, with TSA confirming conclusive evidence.
- →PracticesCardioCertaintyLowSourceRCT
A pooled analysis whose designs were not recorded found that aerobic exercise alone was not superior to control for pain (MD 5.16 [−6.38, 16.70]), while aerobic exercise combined with another therapy reduced pain (MD 7.71 [1.07, 14.35]).
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open CardioStudy result
Meta-analysis of 6 RCTs (445 adults); AE alone was not superior to control for VAS pain (MD 5.16 [−6.38, 16.70]), but combined AE + other therapy reduced pain (MD 7.71 [1.07, 14.35]); authors conclude AE could be used to reduce pain, though evidence is low/very low certainty.
- →PracticesQigongCertaintyLowSourceRCT
A meta-analysis of 13 randomized trials found that Baduanjin reduced VAS pain scores and improved general efficacy for neck pain.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
Open QigongStudy result
Meta-analysis of 13 RCTs showing significant reduction in VAS pain score and improved general efficacy with Baduanjin.
- →PracticesRed Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation)CertaintyLowSourceRCT
A 2025 review pooling randomized trials reported low-certainty findings for pain reduction and improved pressure pain threshold.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Alopecia Androgenetic
- Carpal Tunnel
- Fibromyalgia
- Fracture
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Neck Pain
- +6 more
Open Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation)Study result
Low certainty for pain reduction and improved pressure pain threshold
- →PracticesYogaCertaintyLowSourceRCT
Four of five studies, involving 278 people in total, found greater or similar improvements in neck disability, pain intensity, and range of motion compared with stretching, Pilates, or no intervention.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Back Pain
- Carpal Tunnel
- Frozen Shoulder
- Herniated Disc
- Neck Pain
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- +1 more
Open YogaStudy result
5 studies (278 patients); 4/5 showed greater or similar improvements in neck disability (NDI), pain intensity, and range of motion vs stretching, Pilates, or no intervention.
- →PracticesForest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku)CertaintyLowSourceClinical
A systematic review of randomized and non-randomized human studies included one study of people with posterior neck pain, in which forest bathing reduced VAS pain and neck disability.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Copd
- Heart Failure
- Hypertension
- Neck Pain
- Stroke
Open Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku)Study result
One study included patients with posterior neck pain; forest bathing reduced VAS pain and neck disability.
- →PracticesHeating Pads / Warm CompressesCertaintyLowSourceClinical
One small randomized trial found that adding salt-pack thermotherapy to exercise improved pain, pressure pain threshold, and disability in 35 elderly women with chronic nonspecific neck pain.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Neck Pain
Open Heating Pads / Warm CompressesStudy result
Single small RCT (n=35) in elderly women with chronic nonspecific neck pain showing pain, PPT and disability benefit when salt-pack thermotherapy was added to exercise.
- →PracticesAnusara YogaCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
Yoga-based exercise may reduce neck pain and related disability in some adults when movements are modified appropriately and kept within tolerance.
Open Anusara YogaStudy result
Yoga-based exercise can reduce neck pain and related disability in some adults when movements are appropriately modified and performed within tolerance.
- →PracticesHatha YogaCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
Small trials suggest yoga may reduce pain and disability in chronic nonspecific neck pain.
- →PracticesMassageCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
Massage may provide short-term relief of pain and improve function in chronic neck pain; the supporting evidence is described as low quality overall.
Open MassageStudy result
Massage may give short-term relief of pain and function in chronic neck pain, with low-quality evidence overall.
- →PracticesMobility TrainingCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
Cervical mobility exercises are described as reducing pain and improving range of motion in mechanical Neck Pain.
Open Mobility TrainingStudy result
Cervical mobility exercises reduce pain and improve range of motion in mechanical neck pain.
- →PracticesStrength TrainingCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
Targeted neck and shoulder strengthening reduces pain and disability in chronic non-specific neck pain.
- →PracticesThai MassageCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
Thai massage is described as improving pain and function in chronic neck pain.
Open Thai MassageStudy result
Thai massage improves pain and function in chronic neck pain.
Very low probability(1)
- →PracticesBreathworkCertaintyVery lowSourceRCT
A pooled analysis whose study designs were not recorded found no significant effect on VAS or NDI.
Open BreathworkWho was studied
- People with a condition
What to avoid
Interventions recorded as making it worseNothing in this library is currently recorded as making Neck Pain worse. Coverage is partial, and absence here is not evidence of safety.
How to read the evidence
Evidence tier — overall strength of the evidence for the whole compound
- StrongWell established — backed by strong, consistent human research.
- ModerateSome genuine support, but mostly from small or lower-quality studies. Promising, not proven.
- PreliminaryEarly-stage evidence — a promising hypothesis, not an established effect yet.
- LimitedVery limited evidence — treat this as a hypothesis, not proof.
- InsufficientNot enough good evidence to draw conclusions yet.
Certainty — how sure we can be that the effect is real
- Very highVery sure — strong, consistent evidence
- HighFairly sure — consistent evidence from good studies
- MediumModerately sure — new studies could change this
- LowNot sure — little or mixed evidence
- Very lowVery unsure — almost no usable evidence
Source — where the data comes from
- Meta-analysisPooled analysis of many trials — the strongest evidence
- RCTRandomized controlled trial — a strong human study design
- ClinicalA human clinical study
- Reference knowledgeFrom general health-science or pharmacology references, not a study of this exact claim
- Animal researchStudied in animals, not humans
- Community reportsAggregated user reports — anecdotal signal, not evidence
- TheoreticalMechanism-based reasoning, not yet tested
Study grade — quality of each underlying study (A best, D weakest)
- AHigh-quality — strong, consistent human trials
- BGood — solid evidence with some limitations
- CModerate — limited, small, or mixed-quality studies
- DWeak — preliminary, indirect, or animal-only
Confidence — how strongly the sources back a finding
A 0–100 score from study quality and agreement
Most supplement evidence is graded C–D. Read it as preliminary signal, not proof.
Full write-up
What is it
Neck pain refers to discomfort affecting the neck and may be accompanied by related disability, such as difficulty carrying out usual activities. It is a musculoskeletal health concern rather than a description of one specific intervention. In some adults, yoga-based exercise, including Anusara Yoga, may reduce neck pain and related disability when movements are appropriately modified and performed within tolerance.
Evidence-backed options
The evidence-backed options associated with Neck Pain are limited to Anusara Yoga. The available description concerns yoga-based exercise, with movements modified appropriately and performed within tolerance, and reports possible improvement in neck pain and related disability for some adults.
No dose, session frequency, treatment duration, or time to noticeable effects is specified. The health status of the people studied is also not specified, so the findings may not apply equally across different causes or circumstances of neck pain. The evidence is identified in pharmacology references, but the information provided does not establish how strong, consistent, or long-lasting the findings are. This option is best understood as educational evidence rather than a treatment recommendation; people with a medical condition can discuss its relevance and safe modification with a clinician.