Title : Clinical research on the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy by rotation-traction manipulation
Abstract:
Current Research Status and Advances in Manual Therapy for Cervical Spondylosis. Cervical spondylosis, a highly prevalent degenerative disorder, manifests most frequently as cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR), constituting 60-70% of all cases. According to epidemiological studies, cervical radiculopathy affects approximately 3.5 per 1,000 individuals globally, with incidence peaking during the sixth decade of life. Recognized by the World Health Organization as the second most common chronic condition worldwide, cervical spondylosis has shown a marked increase in both prevalence and early-onset patterns, attributed to sedentary lifestyles and prolonged screen exposure.Manual therapy, a Chinese Medicine approach with advantages in efficacy, affordability, and patient acceptance, remains limited by non-standardized techniques, insufficient evidence-based validation, unclear mechanisms, and inefficient traditional apprenticeship training models. To address these issues, researchers established standardized protocols for Rotation-Traction Manipulation in treating cervical radiculopathy. This technique separates rotation and traction: patients actively rotate the neck to achieve joint stabilization, followed by vertical traction applied by practitioners within physiological ranges. Multicenter randomized controlled trials confirmed its rapid effectiveness, sustained outcomes, and absence of adverse events. Concurrently, an integrated TCM protocol based on the principle of "bones and soft tissues" was developed, combining treatment, rehabilitation, and patient-practitioner collaboration. Clinical validation across seven hospitals under the State Administration of TCM reported a 94.3% efficacy rate with no safety incidents.
Biomechanical studies clarified the force characteristics and cervical displacement patterns of Rotation-Traction Manipulation, supporting its safety and effectiveness. A cervical simulation device with force evaluation metrics was developed to standardize training, replacing subjective apprenticeship methods with quantifiable assessments.
These advancements—encompassing standardized techniques, evidence-based validation, mechanistic research, and modernized training—represent a transition from empirical practice to evidence-based medicine in manual therapy for cervical radiculopathy.
