The Contribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Neck Pain - A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

Abstract Cervicalgia, or neck pain, is a common condition that affects a significant number of the global population and is one of the leading causes of disability. There is not a single treatment for neck pain. However, the search for alternative, less invasive methods with fewer side effects has increased the interest in complementary integrative practices, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This study aims to understand the contribution of TCM and its techniques in the treatment of neck pain. The methodology adopted was a narrative review of the literature. The search was carried out in two databases - PubMed and ScienceDirect - and six studies published between 2018 and 2024 were selected. The results showed that acupuncture, cupping therapy, tuina (when combined with the yijinjing exercise) and guidance centred on Jin Shang effectively relieve pain, increase functionality and improve patients' quality of life. It is concluded that TCM has a positive impact on the treatment of neck pain and can be integrated into clinical practice and the design of health policies that integrate complementary approaches in the care provided to patients with neck pain.