Upper cervical translatoric mobilization versus suboccipital muscle energy technique in patients with mechanical neck pain and forward head posture

Authors

  • Reda Kotb Abdelrazik Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Benha University, Qaluybia, Egypt.
  • Waleed Talat Mansour Professor, Department of Physical Therapy for Neuromuscular Disorders and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Benha University, Benha, Egypt.
  • Ahmed Salim Mohmed Salim Lecturer, Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Elsalam University, Khafr El-Zayat, Egypt.
  • Mohamed Nabil Fiaad Lecturer, Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Modern University for Information and Technology, Cairo, Egypt.
  • Ali Essawy Ali Mostafa Lecturer, Department of Physical Therapy for Neuromuscular Disorders and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Al Salam University, Khafr El-Zayat, Egypt.
  • Ahmed Abd El-Moneim Abd El-Hakim Lecturer, Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt.
  • Sarah Mohamed Samir Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt & Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v80.119229

Keywords:

forward head posture, upper cervical Translatoric mobilization, suboccipital muscle energy technique, mechanical neck pain

Abstract

Background: Mechanical neck pain (MNP) is frequently associated with forward head posture (FHP), yet optimal management remains debated.

Objectives: to compare the effects of upper cervical translatoric mobilization (UC-TSM) versus suboccipital muscle energy technique (MET), when combined with traditional physical therapy, in patients with MNP and FHP.

Subjects and Methods: Forty-four patients aged 25–40 years were randomly allocated into three groups: Group A (n=15) received UC-TSM plus conventional therapy, Group B (n=15) received suboccipital MET plus conventional therapy, and Group C (n=14) received conventional therapy alone. Three times weekly for four weeks. Outcome measures: were assessed pre- and post-treatment included pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), cervical range of motion (CROM device), neck disability (Neck Disability Index), and craniovertebral angle (photographic analysis via Surgimap software).

Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable across groups (p>0.05). All groups demonstrated significant within-group improvements post-treatment in pain, disability, range of motion, and craniovertebral angle (p<0.05). However, Group A exhibited significantly greater reductions in pain and disability, and more pronounced craniovertebral angle improvement compared to Groups B and C (p<0.05). No significant between-group differences were observed in cervical range of motion (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Adding UC-TSM to traditional physical therapy yields superior outcomes in alleviating pain, reducing disability, and correcting forward head posture compared to suboccipital MET or conventional therapy alone in patients with mechanical neck pain and FHP.

Author Biographies

  • Reda Kotb Abdelrazik, Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Benha University, Qaluybia, Egypt.

    Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Benha University, Qaluybia, Egypt.

  • Waleed Talat Mansour, Professor, Department of Physical Therapy for Neuromuscular Disorders and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Benha University, Benha, Egypt.

    Professor, Department of Physical Therapy for Neuromuscular Disorders and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Benha University, Benha, Egypt.

  • Ahmed Salim Mohmed Salim, Lecturer, Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Elsalam University, Khafr El-Zayat, Egypt.

    Lecturer, Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Elsalam University, Khafr El-Zayat, Egypt.

  • Mohamed Nabil Fiaad, Lecturer, Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Modern University for Information and Technology, Cairo, Egypt.

    Lecturer, Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Modern University for Information and Technology, Cairo, Egypt.

  • Ali Essawy Ali Mostafa, Lecturer, Department of Physical Therapy for Neuromuscular Disorders and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Al Salam University, Khafr El-Zayat, Egypt.

    Lecturer, Department of Physical Therapy for Neuromuscular Disorders and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Al Salam University, Khafr El-Zayat, Egypt.

  • Ahmed Abd El-Moneim Abd El-Hakim, Lecturer, Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt.

    Lecturer, Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt.

  • Sarah Mohamed Samir, Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt & Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt & Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Najran   University, Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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Published

12-05-2026

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Vol. 80 (2026)

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Original Research Article

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Copyright (c) 2026 Reda Kotb Abdelrazik, Waleed Talat Mansour, Ahmed Salim Mohmed Salim, Mohamed Nabil Fiaad, Ali Essawy Ali Mostafa, Ahmed Abd El-Moneim Abd El-Hakim, Sarah Mohamed Samir

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How to Cite

Abdelrazik, R. K., Mansour, W. T., Salim, A. S. M., Fiaad, M. N., Mostafa, A. E. A., Abd El-Hakim, A. A. E.-M., & Samir, S. M. (2026). Upper cervical translatoric mobilization versus suboccipital muscle energy technique in patients with mechanical neck pain and forward head posture. Retos, 80, 736-746. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v80.119229