This study investigates the effect of exercise on pain sensitivity in ongoing neck pain patients compared to a healthy control group.

Increased pain sensitivity is a common finding in neck pain patients when compared to healthy controls. Although most studies favor exercise as an intervention, the specific effect on pain sensitivity is still debated. This study will investigate the effect of exercise on pain sensitivity in neck pain patients compared to healthy controls

Inclusion Criteria: - Healthy participants

• Pain free healthy participants
• Able to speak, read and understand Danish and English

Exclusion Criteria: - Healthy participants

• Pain from the neck or shoulder area during the past 6 months
• Experience of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) during the week leading up to the test session
• Former surgery in neck or shoulder
• Current or previous chronic or recurrent pain condition
• Pregnancy
• Drug addiction defined as the use of cannabis, opioids or other drugs
• Previous neurologic, musculoskeletal or mental illnesses
• Regular use of analgesics
• Abnormally disrupted sleep in the last 24 hours preceding the experiment
• Lack of ability to cooperate

Inclusion Criteria: - Neck pain population

• Self reported neck pain lasting three months or longer.
• Able to speak, read and understand Danish and English
• Reduced/painful active range of motion of the head and/or painful reaction to palpation of the neck at the time of inclusion

Exclusion Criteria: - Neck pain population

• Shoulder pain during arm movements
• Experience of DOMS during the week leading up to the test session
• Former surgery in neck or shoulder
• Current or previous chronic or recurrent pain condition other than neck pain
• Pregnancy
• Drug addiction defined as the use of cannabis, opioids or other drugs
• Previous neurologic, musculoskeletal or mental illnesses
• Abnormally disrupted sleep in the 24 hours preceding the experiment
• Lack of ability to cooperate

People with self-reported pain from the neck area with a symptom duration of three months or longer and pain free healthy participants.