Neck pain in South Africa: An overview of the prevalence, assessment and management for the contemporary clinician
Background: Neck pain is a prevalent condition and is associated with high levels of disability and pain. The long-term prognosis can be poor, and therefore effective management in the acute stage is important. Objectives: To provide an overview of the prevalence of neck pain and physiotherapy mana...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2019-09-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Physiotherapy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1332 |
| _version_ | 1811301173577121792 |
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| author | Cato A. Basson Benita Olivier Alison Rushton |
| author_facet | Cato A. Basson Benita Olivier Alison Rushton |
| author_sort | Cato A. Basson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Neck pain is a prevalent condition and is associated with high levels of disability and pain. The long-term prognosis can be poor, and therefore effective management in the acute stage is important.
Objectives: To provide an overview of the prevalence of neck pain and physiotherapy management and to provide evidence-informed recommendations for clinical practice within a South African context.
Method: The literature was reviewed considering prevalence, risk factors and examination. Management recommendations were derived from the highest levels of evidence of clinical practice guidelines, systematic reviews and randomised clinical trials.
Results: Neck pain is classified into four grades, and three trajectories of recovery have been identified. Although the incidence of neck pain globally is high, in the South African context the majority of the population have limited access to physiotherapy management. Sound clinical reasoning is important in the assessment and decision-making process for management. Exercise, and mobilisation or manipulation are effective treatment options in the management of most types of neck pain. Other physical modalities such as needling, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, laser and intermittent traction may be used as an adjunct to management.
Conclusion: The burden of neck pain globally is high; however, there is a lack of information on current practice, prevalence and burden of neck pain in the South African context. Sound evidence-informed clinical reasoning to inform a working diagnosis and to enable patient-centred management is important.
Clinical implications: A thorough assessment is essential to gather information to formulate hypotheses regarding diagnosis and prognosis for neck pain. Exercise, and mobilisation or manipulation are effective management options. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T07:02:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2ea0bbedac2748fc92667e3380b350a0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0379-6175 2410-8219 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T07:02:54Z |
| publishDate | 2019-09-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Journal of Physiotherapy |
| spelling | doaj.art-2ea0bbedac2748fc92667e3380b350a02022-12-22T02:57:03ZengAOSISSouth African Journal of Physiotherapy0379-61752410-82192019-09-01751e1e910.4102/sajp.v75i1.13321234Neck pain in South Africa: An overview of the prevalence, assessment and management for the contemporary clinicianCato A. Basson0Benita Olivier1Alison Rushton2Department of Physiotherapy, University of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgDepartment of Physiotherapy, University of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgCentre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, EdgbastonBackground: Neck pain is a prevalent condition and is associated with high levels of disability and pain. The long-term prognosis can be poor, and therefore effective management in the acute stage is important. Objectives: To provide an overview of the prevalence of neck pain and physiotherapy management and to provide evidence-informed recommendations for clinical practice within a South African context. Method: The literature was reviewed considering prevalence, risk factors and examination. Management recommendations were derived from the highest levels of evidence of clinical practice guidelines, systematic reviews and randomised clinical trials. Results: Neck pain is classified into four grades, and three trajectories of recovery have been identified. Although the incidence of neck pain globally is high, in the South African context the majority of the population have limited access to physiotherapy management. Sound clinical reasoning is important in the assessment and decision-making process for management. Exercise, and mobilisation or manipulation are effective treatment options in the management of most types of neck pain. Other physical modalities such as needling, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, laser and intermittent traction may be used as an adjunct to management. Conclusion: The burden of neck pain globally is high; however, there is a lack of information on current practice, prevalence and burden of neck pain in the South African context. Sound evidence-informed clinical reasoning to inform a working diagnosis and to enable patient-centred management is important. Clinical implications: A thorough assessment is essential to gather information to formulate hypotheses regarding diagnosis and prognosis for neck pain. Exercise, and mobilisation or manipulation are effective management options.https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1332neck painprevalenceassessmentmanagementrisk factorsSouth Africaphysiotherapy |
| spellingShingle | Cato A. Basson Benita Olivier Alison Rushton Neck pain in South Africa: An overview of the prevalence, assessment and management for the contemporary clinician South African Journal of Physiotherapy neck pain prevalence assessment management risk factors South Africa physiotherapy |
| title | Neck pain in South Africa: An overview of the prevalence, assessment and management for the contemporary clinician |
| title_full | Neck pain in South Africa: An overview of the prevalence, assessment and management for the contemporary clinician |
| title_fullStr | Neck pain in South Africa: An overview of the prevalence, assessment and management for the contemporary clinician |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neck pain in South Africa: An overview of the prevalence, assessment and management for the contemporary clinician |
| title_short | Neck pain in South Africa: An overview of the prevalence, assessment and management for the contemporary clinician |
| title_sort | neck pain in south africa an overview of the prevalence assessment and management for the contemporary clinician |
| topic | neck pain prevalence assessment management risk factors South Africa physiotherapy |
| url | https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1332 |
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