If you’re one of millions of westerners who suffers frequent neck pain, chances are you’ve never thought of this specific drink to ease your pain.

Norwegian researchers featured in today’s article discovered the effects by complete coincidence and have no way to explain it. But it works and that’s all that matters.

In a small study looking at participants with chronic neck and shoulder pain, Norwegian researchers wanted to look at how this pain develops in the workplace for those whose jobs involved sedentary computer work.

Even though they had not planned on looking at the effects of caffeine on chronic pain, they discovered that it has an effect. Not wanting sleepy participants first thing in the morning, the researchers offered one cup of either tea or coffee before the observation period started.

The participants all did the same computer activity for 90 minutes, using no keyboard and only the mouse to navigate.

They discovered that those who drank caffeinated beverages were less likely to develop neck pain than their caffeine-free counterparts during the course of the study.

While the study only uncovered a subtle correlation and not an actual causal relationship, researchers did offer that the trend merits further study in a controlled environment, looking specifically at how caffeine affects the development of chronic neck pain with certain job ergonomics.

Need to eliminate neck pain but can’t have caffeine? Check out these simple, easy exercises…