Table 3 Interventions
Treatment arm | Description | Time per treatment | Number of sessions | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Massage (A) | Massage will be applied to the neck, thoracic spine area, TMJa (if indicated) and chest (including the chest muscles) | 30 min (in total 45 min session) | up to 6 | 6 weeks |
Exercise therapy (B) | Self-mobilization exercise (gentle controlled movement) of the neck and shoulder joints, including neck retraction, extension, flexion, rotation, lateral bending motions, and scapular retraction) and strengthen exercises | 30 min (in total 45 min session) | Up to 6 | 6 weeks |
Massage and Exercise therapy (C) | Combination of A + B | 50 min, 25 min of each (in total 60 min session) | Up to 6 | 6 weeks |
Massage treatment followed by physical exercise. | ||||
Advice to stay active (D) | Support and advice on staying active and on pain coping strategies, according to guidelines and evidence-based reviews | 30 min | Up to 3 | 6 weeks |