Immediate efficacy of acupuncture combined with active exercise as 10 min rapid therapy for pain and movement disorders in patients suffering from acute stiff neck: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Stiff neck is a condition mainly characterised by persistent pain and limited neck movement, which can substantially impact patients' daily lives during acute episodes. Accordingly, rapid pain relief and restoration of normal activities are the main needs of patients during doctor visits. This study aims to assess the immediate efficacy of acupuncture combined with active exercises in rapidly relieving pain and improving movement disorders within 10 min in patients with acute stiff neck (ASN).