Objective <p>To observe the clinical efficacy of against-lateral correction Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) in treating atlanto-axial joint disorder (AAJD) and imaging changes.</p> Methods <p>A total of 142 patients with AAJD were recruited. They were randomly allocated to a trial group and a control group using the random number table method, with 71 participants in each group. The trial group was treated with against-lateral correction Tuina 3 times weekly. The control group was offered conventional physical traction therapy once daily. The interventions lasted 2 weeks in both groups. The two groups of participants were observed before and after treatment for their changes in the global pain scale (GPS) score, visual analog scale (VAS) score for dizziness assessment, cervical range of motion (ROM) in rotation, and the extent of atlanto-dental displacement.</p> Results <p>The GPS and VAS scores dropped after treatment in both groups (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05) and were lower in the trial group than in the control group after treatment and at the follow-up (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05). Participants in the trial group achieved a significant increase in the cervical ROM in rotation after treatment and at the follow-up compared to the pre-treatment value (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05) and surpassed the control group (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05); the control group only showed an increase in the left-side rotation (<i>P</i>&lt;0.05). After the intervention, neither the intra-group nor the between-group comparison revealed significant differences in the extent of atlanto-dental displacement (<i>P</i>&gt;0.05), though the trial group presented an improving tendency.</p> Conclusion <p>Compared to physical traction, the against-lateral correction Tuina method works more significantly in improving pain, dizziness, and ROM in AAJD patients.</p>