Neck and Shoulder Pain

The overall aim is to investigate the health outcomes and consequences, from an individual and a societal perspective, of adding licensed Manual Therapists as first-contact healthcare providers in Primary Health Care centers to triage (not treat) patients seeking care for Neck and Back Pain. A hybrid, quasi-experimental Target Trial Emulation design employing mixed methods contextualized to participating Primary Health Care centers will be used. Neck and Back Pain patients with a physician's appointment at a participating Primary Health Care center will be included and followed one year; * 300 patients with care as usual who see their physician (control group), * 300 patients who see a licensed naprapath/chiropractor for an initial evidence-based assessment/screening before the physicians' visit. Patient outcomes include recovery, function and work ability, as well as health economy are compared between the groups.

Neck and/or shoulder pain is increasingly reported among school-aged children and may affect their physical activity, daily life, psychological well-being, and quality of life. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a school-based physical activity and education intervention on neck and/or shoulder pain and related health outcomes among primary school children in Shijiazhuang, China. Participants will be primary school children aged 10 to 12 years. They will be allocated to one of four groups: a physical activity group, an education group, a combined physical activity and education group, or a control group. The intervention will last for six weeks. The physical activity intervention will include structured game-based activities and neck-shoulder exercises, while the education intervention will include health education related to posture, screen use, physical activity, and pain prevention. The study will assess changes in neck and/or shoulder pain, pain intensity, physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep quality, psychological factors, quality of life, and physical activity enjoyment before and after the intervention.