Progress in Non-Surgical Physical Therapy for Cervical Spondylosis:Synergistic Application of Muscle Relaxation and Mechanical Correction

Zixuan Fu; Guangrong Zhang; Kaisen Zhang; Chaoyue Wang; Zhenggen Xu

doi:10.47297/wspbdsWSP2752-630544.20260601

PDF
Export
Share
Collection
Album

Progress in Non-Surgical Physical Therapy for Cervical Spondylosis:Synergistic Application of Muscle Relaxation and Mechanical Correction

Volume 6, Issue 1

Views: 0 Downloads: 0

Progress in Non-Surgical Physical Therapy for Cervical Spondylosis:Synergistic Application of Muscle Relaxation and Mechanical Correction
Progress in Non-Surgical Physical Therapy for Cervical Spondylosis:Synergistic Application of Muscle Relaxation and Mechanical Correction
1.The First School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University,Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, China
2.School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, China
3.The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750004, China
Vol. 6, Issue 1, Pages: 199-204(2026)
Published：30 March 2026
DOI：10.47297/wspbdsWSP2752-630544.20260601
Accepted：

Scan QR Code

Fu Zixuan,Zhang Guangrong,Zhang Kaisen,et al.Progress in Non-Surgical Physical Therapy for Cervical Spondylosis:Synergistic Application of Muscle Relaxation and Mechanical Correction[J].Biomedical Data Science,2026,06(01):199-204.
DOI：

Fu Zixuan,Zhang Guangrong,Zhang Kaisen,et al.Progress in Non-Surgical Physical Therapy for Cervical Spondylosis:Synergistic Application of Muscle Relaxation and Mechanical Correction[J].Biomedical Data Science,2026,06(01):199-204. DOI： 10.47297/wspbdsWSP2752-630544.20260601.

摘要

Abstract

Cervical spondylosis is a common degenerative disorder associated with neck pain

restricted mobility

sensorimotor dysfunction

and reduced quality of life. Although conservative treatment remains the first-line option for most patients

many physical therapy approaches continue to target isolated symptoms rather than the interacting muscular and biomechanical abnormalities that underlie disease progression. This review summarizes recent advances in non-surgical physical therapy for cervical spondylosis

with particular emphasis on the synergistic application of muscle relaxation and mechanical correction. Current evidence indicates that multimodal rehabilitation strategies are generally more effective than single-modality treatment. Cervical traction

exercise-based rehabilitation

manual therapy

and adjunctive physical modalities each contribute to symptom relief and functional improvement

but their clinical value appears greater when integrated within a coordinated rehabilitation framework. Muscle relaxation strategies may reduce hypertonicity

improve tissue extensibility

and enhance neuromuscular control

whereas mechanical correction may help restore cervical alignment

reduce abnormal loading

and relieve neural irritation. Their combination therefore offers a more comprehensive approach to both pain reduction and functional recovery. In addition

emerging intelligent rehabilitation technologies

including sensor-based traction systems

robotic devices

wearable assistive tools

computer vision

and artificial intelligence–assisted evaluation platforms

are expanding the possibilities for more standardized

measurable

and individualized rehabilitation. Overall

the integration of muscle relaxation with mechanical correction represents a promising direction in the conservative management of cervical spondylosis

while technology-enhanced rehabilitation may further support the transition from generalized intervention toward more precise and patient-specific care.

关键词

Keywords

references

Ling J , Thirumavalavan J , Shin C , et al . Postoperative rehabilitation to improve outcomes after cervical spine fusion for degenerative cervical spondylosis: a systematic review [J ] . Cureus . 2023 ; 15 ( 6 ): e40276 .

Niazi IK , et al . Myokinetic stretching exercise versus post-isometric relaxation combined with traction in patients with cervical radiculopathy: a randomized clinical trial [J ] . Life (Basel) . 2024 ; 15 ( 5 ): 721 .

Cormier G , Moreau C , Scalisi E , et al . The effect of mechanical traction on cervical radiculopathy: protocol for the TracCerv2 randomized controlled trial [J ] . BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies . 2025 ; 25 : 35 .

Saunders LM , Sandhu HS , McBride L , et al . Degenerative cervical myelopathy: an overview [J ] . Cureus . 2023 ; 15 ( 12 ): e50387 .

Yeshna , Singh M , Kumar A , et al . Pathophysiology and emerging therapeutic strategies for cervical spondylosis: the role of pro-inflammatory mediators [J ] . International Immunopharmacology . 2025 .

Zhang Y , Li C , Dong Q , et al . Prevalence and distribution of cervical facet joint degeneration in cervical spondylotic myelopathy [J ] . European Spine Journal . 2025 .

Jellad A , Kalai A , Abbes I , et al . The effect of cervical traction on stabilometric parameters in cervical radiculopathy patients: a randomized crossover study [J ] . J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil . 2024 ; 37 ( 4 ): 1031 – 1040 .

Jellad A , Kalai A , Chaabeni A , et al . Effect of cervical traction on cervicogenic headache in patients with cervical radiculopathy: a preliminary randomized controlled trial [J ] . BMC Musculoskelet Disord . 2024 ; 25 : 842 .

Sun X , Chai L , Huang Q , et al . Effects of exercise combined with cervicothoracic spine self‑mobilization on chronic non‑specific neck pain [J ] . Sci Rep . 2024 ; 14 : 5298 .

Rasmussen‑Barr E , Halvorsen M , Bohman T , et al . Summarizing the effects of different exercise types in chronic neck pain: systematic review and meta‑analysis of systematic reviews [J ] . BMC Musculoskelet Disord . 2023 ; 24 : 806 .

Iakovidis P , Lytras D , Kasimis K , et al . Efficacy of myofascial release with TENS conductive glove for neck myofascial syndrome: randomized clinical trial [J ] . Manipulative Physiol Ther . 2024 ;46( 5 ‑ 9 ): 254 - 270 .

Sharma N , Bansal S , Dube O , et al . The combined effect of neuro‑modulation and neuro‑stimulation on pain in patients with cervical radiculopathy: randomised controlled trial [J ] . J Spinal Cord Med . 2025 ; 48 ( 2 ): 221 - 231 .

Talinga AA , Onofrei RR , Codreanu A-M , et al . Muscle-Specific Biomechanical Adaptations Following Rehabilitation Treatment in Cervical Spondylosis: A Pilot Study [J ] . Life (Basel) . 2026 ; 16 ( 1 ): 147 .

Sezerel B , Yüksel İ . Efficacy Comparison of Osteopathic Muscle Energy Techniques and Cervical Mobilization on Pain, Disability, and Proprioception in Cervical Spondylosis Patients [J ] . Med Sci Monit . 2024 ; e945149 .

Wu K , Deng R , Zhao X , et al . Cervical manipulation accelerates recovery and further correction of cervical alignment in mechanical neck pain patients with neck exercise: A randomized controlled trial [J ] . Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice . 2025 ; (article).

Li R , Liu Y , Zhang Y , et al . The effect of suboccipital muscle dysfunction on the biomechanics of the upper cervical spine: a study based on finite element analysis [J ] . BMC Musculoskelet Disord . 2024 ; 25 : 400 .

Mares SM , Deaconescu A . Classification and review of neck rehabilitation devices [J ] . Recent Essentials in Rehabilitation . 2024 ; 74 : 174 - 180 .

Bales I , Zhang H . A six degrees-of-freedom cable-driven robotic platform for head–neck movement [J ] . Scientific Reports . 2024 ; 14 : 8750 .

Huang S , Zheng X , Tan X , et al . Design of resistance neck rehabilitation robot system [J ] . J Zhejiang Univ (Engineering Science) . 2024 ; 58 ( 7 ): 1479 – 1487 .

Ghasemi A , et al . A wearable system to assist impaired neck patients [M/OL ] . Proc Inst Mech Eng H . 2024 .

Nguyen GMT , et al . A comprehensive review of wearable assistive robotic devices used for head and neck rehabilitation [M/OL ] . Results in Engineering . 2023 .

Luo Z , Wang Y , Zhang T , Wang J . Effectiveness of AI-assisted rehabilitation for musculoskeletal disorders: a network meta-analysis of pain, range of motion, and functional outcomes [J ] . Front Bioeng Biotechnol . 2025 ; 13 : 1660524 .

Du Q , Bai H , Zhu Z . Intelligent evaluation method of human cervical vertebra rehabilitation based on computer vision [J ] . Sensors (Basel) . 2023 ; 23 ( 8 ): 3825 .

Wu J , Sun Z , Ge Z , et al . The efficacy of virtual reality technology for the postoperative rehabilitation of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial [J ] . Trials . 2024 ; 25 : 133

Muelbauer EJ , Alvi MA , Kennedy DJ , Fehlings MG . The future is now: how AI is reshaping spine care [J ] . North Am Spine Soc J . 2025 ; 24 : 100 .