All patients were treated at the basic points bilaterally situated in the local region (neck), distal region (low back, arms and legs) and ear. In addition, acupuncture treatment was performed according to the rules of traditional Chinese medicine and was semi-standardized. This means that the therapist was allowed to choose from a list of the following acupuncture points: GV14, Huatuojiaji C1-C7, GB20, SI11, GB21, TE15, SI14, BL17, MT10, SI3, BL64, TE5, GB41, Zero point, Jerome point, C0. The combination of acupuncture points were chosen individually, according to the patients' self-reported symptoms. In order to obtain the required information, patients had to fill out a Margolis pain diagram, and the acupuncturist questioned the patient and performed a tongue- and pulse diagnosis.

For the relaxation treatment the method of guided imagery is applied. Guided imagery is a system of visualization. During guided imagery relaxation, the patient's state of consciousness is similar to one which occurs in meditative status. Patients are instructed to listen to a CD with relaxation music (Arcade TV-CD Ad Vissesr's Brainsessions, track 3). Patients will sit in an identical position like during the acupuncture treatment (i.e. on a relaxation chair) and listened to the audio CD by headphone.

one 30-minute treatment session using sterile 1-time-use needles (Euro-acupuncture needles) were used, but the therapist was allowed to chose the needle length and diameter

For assessing CPM, the method examining the influence of the Diffuse Noxious Inhibitory Control system (or spatial summation) on temporal summation (TS) was applied. The experimental pain assessments before and after each treatment were carried out by the same assessor.

The Neck Disability Index (NDI) was developed in 1991 as a modification of the Oswestry Back Pain Index and was the first instrument designed to assess self-rated disability in patients with neck pain. The NDI is scored from 0 (good function) to 50 (poor function) and when multiplied by two the percentage of disability can be obtained. The NDI is a valid and reliable instrument, sensitive to measure changes within a population of patient with neck pain.