Is the McKenzie system in physiotherapy more effective than a Brief Intervention in helping patients cope with their back or neck pain?

INTERVENTION: Patients randomised to the McKenzie group will be allocated to a McKenzie trained physiotherapist. Patients randomised to the Brief Intervention group based on cognitive¿behavioural principles. It will consist of a brief assessment and physical examination to exclude any serious pathology, helping the patient to identify specific problems and work out solutions using a patient education booklet, and encouraging movement and appropriate paced exercises. CONDITION: Back pain and neck pain ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Back and neck pain PRIMARY OUTCOME: Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia SECONDARY OUTCOME: Not provided at time of registration INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Sub‐acute or chronic neck and back pain of mechanical origin (lasting at least 3 weeks) 2. Able to travel independently to the physiotherapy department 3. Age range at least 18 years (no upper limit). The aim is to be as inclusive as possible in order to improve generalisability and clinical relevance of the findings.