Neck and Shoulder Pain Research Study

Inclusion Criteria: * presenting primary pain is located in the region of the neck (right side and/or left side and/or the back of the neck) and/or the shoulder (right side and/or left side); * neck and/or shoulder pain is of benign musculoskeletal origin wherein the etiology is sprain strain and/or muscle spasms; * neck/shoulder pain is episodic chronic, defined as having occurred and recurred over regular or irregular periods or intervals of time, persisting over at least the last 3 months; * self-reported Degree of Pain rating on the 0-100 VAS pain scale for the neck-shoulder region is 50 or greater; * subject is willing and able to maintain his or her current pre-study neck/shoulder pain management regimen of pain relief medication and/or treatment/therapy use throughout the course of study duration, whilst refraining from consuming other types of medication and/or prescription medication(s) and/or herbal supplements intended for the relief of pain and/or inflammation, including muscle relaxants, and/or partaking in other treatments/therapies including conventional therapies such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and hot or cold packs, as well as alternative therapies such as chiropractic care and acupuncture. Exclusion Criteria: * subject's presenting primary pain is located outside or in addition to the region of the neck (right side and/or left side and/or the back of the neck) and/or the shoulder (right side and/or left side); * subject's neck and/or shoulder pain is of other than, or in addition to, benign musculoskeletal origin wherein the etiology is sprain strain and/or muscle spasms, and/or the etiology of the subject's neck/shoulder pain cannot be satisfactorily ruled out as one or more; * neck/shoulder pain is acute, defined as having persisted over less than the last 3 months; * neck/shoulder pain is not episodic, such that it has either been continually present without respite over the past 3 months and/or there has not been recurrent episodes within the past 3 months; * self-reported Degree of Pain rating on the 0-100 VAS pain scale for the neck-shoulder region is less than 50; * local corticosteroids and/or botulinum toxin (Botox®) injection for neck/shoulder pain relief within the prior 30 days; * such as chiropractic care and acupuncture; * current, active chronic pain disease: chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, inflammatory bowel disease, interstitial cystitis diabetic neuropathic pain; * cancer or treatmen…