Effects of Positional Traction Integrated With Mobilization With Movement on Cervical Facet Joint Syndrome

Background Cervical facet joint syndrome (CFJS) is a common source of neck pain and disability, often limiting functional activities. While conventional physiotherapy provides symptomatic relief, it may not always ensure optimal recovery. Positional traction, when combined with mobilization with movement (MWM), is a promising strategy aimed at enhancing cervical mobility and reducing pain. Objectives This study evaluated the effectiveness of combining positional traction with MWM in reducing pain, improving function, and increasing cervical range of motion (ROM) in individuals with CFJS. Methods A comparative study was conducted involving 114 participants diagnosed with CFJS. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups using the envelope method. Group A (control) received conventional physiotherapy, while group B (experimental) received positional traction with MWM alongside conventional treatment. Pain, disability, and ROM were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and goniometric ROM evaluations, respectively. Data were analyzed pre- and post intervention using SPSS version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results Both groups showed significant improvement in all outcomes. The pain scores of group A decreased from 4.98 ± 0.61 to 2.49 ± 0.78 at rest and from 6.34 ± 0.46 to 3.04 ± 1.03 on activity. Group B showed a reduction from 4.83 ± 0.94 to 2.09 ± 0.76 at rest and from 6.09 ± 0.57 to 2.58 ± 0.85 on activity (p-value < 0.0001). However, group B exhibited greater improvements across all outcomes (p-value <0.0001). Post-intervention values revealed enhanced cervical mobility and a more pronounced reduction in pain and functional limitations in the experimental group. Conclusion Integrating positional traction with MWM into conventional physiotherapy yields superior clinical outcomes for CFJS patients. This combined approach effectively reduces pain and disability while improving cervical mobility and can be considered a valuable addition to rehabilitation programs.