Suggestions since long that spinal manipulation is beneficial for neck pain have been proved wrong by a team of researchers at the Brunel University, Uxbridge, says a recent report published in the British Medical Journal.

Claims are being made that the cervical spine manipulation’s harms can overshadow the benefits offered by it. The team says that the treatment ending up in a click or pop sound may slightly risk one at getting a stroke of a specific kind that tears the vertebral artery lining in the neck, which supplies blood to the brain.

It is being said that spinal manipulation is no different from other cures such as exercise or a gentle massage as it provides the same amount of relief as these do.

Spinal manipulation comprises putting thrusts to the lumbar spine and is also believed to lower blood pressure by some doctors. However, the therapy is of no worth and should be removed from medical science, claim physiotherapy lecturer Neil O'Connell and colleagues.

However, criticisms on abandonment by some have led the team to conclude, "We say no to abandoning manipulation and yes to more rigorous research on the benefits and harms of this and other common interventions for neck pain".