Spinal crack vs. massage: which fixes neck pain?
NCT ID NCT06312696
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at whether spinal manipulation (a chiropractic-style adjustment) can help normalize how the neck bones move in people with chronic neck pain. About 60 adults with neck pain for over 12 weeks will be randomly assigned to receive spinal manipulation, a light massage, or no treatment. Researchers will measure neck motion before and after to see if the manipulation improves movement patterns.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 60 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Apr 2024
- Expected to finish
-
Apr 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 39 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Nonspecific, mechanical neck pain equivalent to grades I or II (Bone and Joint Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders classification2 for \>12 weeks * Ages 18 to 39 * Pain intensity \>3 (0-10 scale) Exclusion Criteria: * American Society of Anesthesiology Class III conditions and/or serious mental health conditions * Botox injections (which resulted in clinical relief) in the past 3 months * Chronic opioid use * Contraindications to spinal manipulation (e.g. cervical instability; complicating neurological conditions) Spinal manipulation or mobilization of cervical spine in prior 6 months * Ongoing non-pharmacological treatment for neck pain * History of cervical spine surgery * Pregnancy, currently trying to get pregnant, lactation * Contraindications to radiation exposure
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Neck pain are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Minnesota
RECRUITINGMinneapolis, Minnesota, 55414, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a 13-Minute eye exercise routine ease screen strain?
- Can a Screen-Guided neck workout retrain muscles to ease chronic pain?
- Which neck therapy works better? a Head-to-Head test
- Can diaphragm exercises ease stubborn neck pain?
- Can deep breathing loosen the grip of neck pain?
- Does stretchy tape really soothe knotted neck muscles?