East-West Collaboration Treatment Using Bee Venom Acupuncture and NSAIDs for Chronic Cervicalgia

Inclusion Criteria: * age between 18 and 65 years * nonspecific, uncomplicated, chronic neck pain over 3 months * volunteer can read and write in Korean, providing written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * exhibited abnormalities on neurological examination * radicular pain * serious spinal disorders including malignancy, vertebral fracture, spinal infection or inflammatory spondylitis * other chronic diseases that could affect or interfere with the therapeutic outcomes including cardiovascular disease, diabetic neuropathy, active hepatitis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia or epilepsy * previous spinal surgery or scheduled procedures during the study * painful conditions induced by traffic accidents * a substantial musculoskeletal problem generating pain from an area other than the neck * conditions for which administration of BVA might not be safe including clotting disorders, administration of an anticoagulant agent, pregnancy and seizure disorders * a documented hypersensitive reaction to previous BVA treatments, bee stings or insect bites * positive reaction observed during a skin hypersensitivity test * severe psychiatric or psychological disorders * current use of corticosteroids, narcotics, muscle relaxants or herbal medicines to treat neck pain or any medication considered inappropriate by the investigator * pending lawsuits or receipt of compensation due to neck pain.