A Standardized Protocol Combining McKenzie Mechanical Therapy and Neurodynamic Techniques for Cervical Radiculopathy

Cervical radiculopathy is a common clinical condition associated with nerve root compression, pain, sensory symptoms, and functional limitation. This protocol describes a standardized clinical intervention that combines McKenzie Mechanical Therapy (MMT) with Neurodynamic Treatment (NDT) for patients with cervical radiculopathy. The approach stratifies treatment according to symptom irritability and provides a structured workflow for patient selection, clinical assessment, intervention delivery, intensity adjustment, and outcome evaluation. Cervical range of motion, pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale, and functional disability assessed using the Neck Disability Index are used as primary outcomes. In a 2-week pilot clinical trial, 33 eligible patients were randomly assigned to either an MMT group or a combined MMT-NDT group. All participants completed the intervention without treatment-related adverse events, indicating good feasibility and safety. Both groups showed clinical improvement, while the combined MMT-NDT approach produced greater improvements in cervical motion, pain reduction, and functional recovery. These findings suggest that integrating NDT with MMT may provide a reproducible and clinically useful rehabilitation strategy for cervical radiculopathy.