With Veterans Day approaching, Kessler Foundation and Cervigard Spinal Bracing Corp. have a timely and impactful story about a new, non-drug solution offering meaningful relief to active-duty service members and veterans living with chronic neck pain—one of the most common musculoskeletal challenges in the military.
In a randomized clinical trial conducted at a military treatment facility, researchers tested the Cervigard Neck Collar—a noninvasive device designed to reduce neck pain and improve head posture. The study involved nearly 40 active-duty participants from multiple branches of the military, aged 18 to 55. Over a six-week period, those who used the Cervigard collar daily for just 20 minutes reported a 40 percent reduction in neck pain compared to those receiving standard care. Follow-up continued for a year, with encouraging long-term results.
Led by Dr. Nathan Hogaboom of Kessler Foundation in collaboration with the Uniformed Services University's MIRROR program and The Geneva Foundation, this research signals a potential shift in how we treat musculoskeletal injuries in military populations—especially with low-burden, noninvasive interventions. The Geneva Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances military medical research to strengthen readiness and improve health outcomes for Service Members and civilians. Geneva delivers full-spectrum scientific, technical, and program management expertise across federal grants, industry-sponsored clinical trials, and federal contracts. Geneva administers the MIRROR program by providing program management, fiscal, and regulatory support, enabling research that drives real-world improvements across the Military Health System.
Importantly, this innovation could benefit far more than just service members. With nearly 100 million Americans experiencing neck and back pain annually, and rising cases of “tech neck” from prolonged phone and screen use, solutions like Cervigard may offer broader relief for civilians as well.
