Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine for Self-Care in Chronic Neck and Shoulder Pain: A Scoping Review

Nurs Rep. 2026 Jan 29;16(2):44. doi: 10.3390/nursrep16020044.

ABSTRACT

Background: Traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) is a promising and increasingly popular approach in managing chronic neck and shoulder pain. Despite recognized benefits for pain relief and well-being, how TCAM facilitates self-care practices is poorly understood. This scoping review maps the existing evidence on TCAM-based self-care strategies for adults with chronic neck and shoulder pain to identify which domains of self-care are addressed and which are overlooked.

Methods: We searched five academic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cinahl Complete (EBSCOhost), and Public Health Database (ProQuest). Articles published over a 20-year period that examined the use of TCAM for adults with chronic neck and shoulder pain were included. An analytical framework based on Riegel's three core components of self-care (maintenance, monitoring, and management) was used to structure and synthesize the findings from included studies.

Results: Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Most research focused on just one or two self-care components, primarily self-care maintenance (e.g., physical activities and treatment adherence) and self-care management (e.g., pain control). However, critical dimensions, such as psychological well-being, social support, work-life balance, and cultural context, were frequently overlooked.

Conclusions: To enhance the quality of life for adults with chronic neck and shoulder pain, future TCAM research must adopt a more holistic self-care approach that extends beyond physical symptoms. Our findings highlight the need for integrated research, policy, and clinical services that address the full spectrum of self-care in chronic pain management.

PMID:41745869 | DOI:10.3390/nursrep16020044