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Previous Issues Volume 4, Issue 1 - 2025
Myofascial Release for Post-Thyroidectomy Cervical Pain: A Review of Evidence and Clinical Applications
Waseem Syed1,*, Saher Sayed1, Erin Walsh1, Nawfal Saleem1, Benjamin Kelley2
1Medical Student, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL, USA
2Otolaryngologist, ENT Associates of Manatee, Bradenton, FL, USA
*Corresponding author: Mr. Waseem Syed, BS, Medical Student, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL, USA, Tel: 4088056950; Email: [email protected]
Received Date: September 22, 2025
Published Date: October 13, 2025
Citation: Syed W, et al. (2025). Myofascial Release for Post-Thyroidectomy Cervical Pain: A Review of Evidence and Clinical Applications. Mathews J Otolaryngol. 4(1):11.
Copyrights: Syed W, et al. © (2025).
ABSTRACT
Post-thyroidectomy cervical pain is a frequent but underrecognized complication, largely attributed to prolonged intraoperative neck hyperextension. This review examines whether myofascial release (MFR), an osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) technique, may offer clinical benefit in reducing postoperative pain and improving recovery. A comprehensive PubMed search was conducted to identify studies evaluating neck pain following thyroidectomy, as well as trials assessing MFR in cervical dysfunction. Evidence from prospective and randomized trials confirms a significant correlation between intraoperative hyperextension and postoperative neck pain, with over half of patients reporting discomfort within 24 hours of surgery. While direct data on MFR in thyroidectomy patients remain limited, studies in nonsurgical populations demonstrate reductions in pain intensity and improvements in range of motion with MFR compared to standard therapy. These findings suggest a strong physiological rationale for applying MFR post-thyroidectomy. In conclusion, MFR represents a promising adjunct to conventional care, potentially reducing pain and expediting recovery; however, high-quality randomized controlled trials in thyroidectomy patients are urgently needed to validate its clinical role.
Keywords: Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Otolaryngology, Thyroidectomy, Cervical Pain, Pinched Nerves, Reduced Range of Motion, Thyroid Cancer, Myofascial Release.
