BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cervical pain is mostly caused by mechanical-postural changes. Among different therapeutic techniques used by physical therapists, chiropractic care is becoming common in Brazil. This study aimed at reviewing the literature, with secondary and tertiary sources, using Pubmed, Medline and PEdro databases. CONTENTS: Just 6 controlled randomized clinical trials investigating the effects of chiropractic care on cervical pain were found. In most studies, manipulation techniques have promoted pain relief in a faster and more prolonged way and pain was evaluated by Oswestry's Functional Index, by McGill Pain Questionnaire and by Pain Visual Analog Scale. CONCLUSION: A larger number of controlled randomized clinical trials involving chiropractic care is needed, as well as the use of more dependable evaluation methods, to prove its real effects in the treatment of cervical pain.
Cervical pain; Chiropractic care; Controlled randomized clinical trial; Orthopedic manipulation; Physical therapy modalities
