Design: a randomized single blind placebo controlled trial will be conducted trial in accordance with the CONSORT guidelines. Patients (n=116) with non-specific neck pain will be randomized to receive 1) pain education, manual therapy, and exercise (n=58) or 2) pain education, manual therapy, exercise and dry needling (n=58). Participants will receive 4-6 treatments during 4 weeks. Clinical outcomes (pain intensity, disability,global perceived effect, self-efficacy, quality of sleep and catastrophizing) will be obtained at follow-up appointments at four, twelve and twenty-four weeks after randomisation.