A recent research publication compared the cost effectiveness of three types of treatment for neck pain. In this study, the researchers in Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, Netherlands, compared spinal mobilization, physiotherapy and general practitioner care for neck pain. 183 patients participated in the research program who were followed up for 52 weeks. The total costs of manual therapy were around one third of the costs of physiotherapy and general practitioner care. The researchers concluded:

“Manual therapy (spinal mobilization) is more effective and less costly for treating neck pain than physiotherapy or care by a general practitioner.” 
(PMID: 12714472)