Acute Effects of Myofascial Release in Individuals With Text Neck Syndrome

Text Neck Syndrome (TNS) is a repetitive stress injury caused by prolonged forward head posture, often due to extended use of mobile phones, tablets, and computers. The increasing prevalence of this postural disorder has led to a rise in musculoskeletal complaints, particularly among young adults and university students. TNS is characterized by symptoms such as neck and upper back pain, stiffness, shoulder pain, headaches, and, in some cases, paresthesia in the upper limbs.

Myofascial release (MFR) is a manual therapy technique aimed at releasing restrictions in the myofascial system to alleviate pain and improve function. It is increasingly being used to treat various musculoskeletal disorders, including those affecting the cervical and thoracic spine. The technique involves applying gentle, sustained pressure to the myofascial connective tissue to improve mobility, reduce pain, and enhance functional performance.

This single-arm experimental study is designed to evaluate the acute effects of a one-time standardized myofascial release session targeting the cervical and upper thoracic regions in individuals diagnosed with Text Neck Syndrome. Four myofascial techniques will be applied in a specific sequence:

Single Arm Pull

Lateral Neck Shoulder Release

Thoracic Transverse Release

Anterior Cervical Release

These techniques are performed by a licensed physiotherapist with advanced training in manual therapy. Each intervention is applied bilaterally (if appropriate), with a duration of 90-120 seconds per technique.

The primary focus is to observe immediate (pre-post) changes in:

Subjective neck pain intensity

Functional disability associated with the neck

Cervical range of motion (C-ROM) in multiple planes

This study is exploratory in nature and aims to provide preliminary data on the efficacy of a single-session MFR intervention for individuals experiencing TNS-related symptoms. The findings may guide future controlled trials and inform physiotherapeutic approaches in addressing posture-related neck dysfunctions.

Inclusion criteria

• Aged between 18 and 40 years (inclusive)
• Uses a mobile device for ≥3 hours/day
• Reports at least 3 out of the following 6 symptoms associated with Text Neck Syndrome (TNS):

Neck pain Shoulder pain Back pain Headache Insomnia Numbness/tingling in hands

-Voluntarily agrees to participate and provides informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• History of congenital, traumatic, or surgical pathology affecting the cervical -------spine or shoulder region
• Neurological disorders that cause headaches (e.g., migraines due to underlying neurological conditions)
• Presence of inflammatory, infectious spinal diseases, or diagnosed spinal deformities
• Received trigger point injections in the cervical region within the past 6 months