This pilot study is designed to evaluate the following feasibility and study conduct issues: type and standardization of interventions and associated sham and placebo control, appropriateness of inclusion and exclusion criteria, rate of recruitment, study conduct including randomisation allocation concealment, successful masking, wait time for delivery of services (allied health, diagnostic imaging, and procedures), and ensuring efficient, appropriate and safe study conduct for recruitment from emergency departments, hospital inpatients, general practitioners and specialists in the community, and radiology departments in hospital and community practices. Study logistics will differ across these settings, and processes to ensure standardization will be evaluated. Other issues explored include co-therapy with analgesics, NSAIDS, pregabalin, physical and manual therapies, and the timing of rescue therapy, including neurosurgery. It is our experience with previous RCTs that piloting all facets and procedures is essential for the successful conduct of a RCT.