Management of Neck Pain

With variable pain generators and differing responses to treatment, neck pain can pose a challenging problem for both patients and providers. Diagnostic evaluations, which include electrodiagnosis and radiologic imaging, can help evaluate underlying pathophysiology, but often do not correlate with symptomatology.

Among the myriad of treatment options, many lack strong supporting evidence, rendering the management of neck and associated radicular pain even more difficult. As such, the art of medicine and the physician-patient relationship become particularly crucial in determining proper, safe, and effective evaluation and treatment for this common complaint.

I am honored that Dr George Kraft, a teacher and mentor to me for several years, invited me to guest edit this Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America issue devoted to neck pain. My aim was to present a clear and organized approach to the topic, and I am very fortunate to have gathered a truly outstanding and talented panel of contributors from around the world, and from diverse medical backgrounds.

Together, these accomplished authors have provided the reader with a concise and accurate understanding of anatomy, evaluation, and treatment options for neck and associated radicular pain. I am pleased with their individual contributions and with this issue as a whole.

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