Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of heat-sensitive moxibustion combined with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) in the treatment of upper crossed syndrome. Methods A total of 90 patients with upper crossed syndrome were selected and randomly divided into three groups using a random number table, with 30 patients in each group. The PNF group received PNF therapy, the heat-sensitive moxibustion group received heat-sensitive moxibustion treatment, and the combination group received synchronous intervention of heat-sensitive moxibustion combined with PNF. All three groups received continuous treatment for 4 weeks. Before and 4 weeks after treatment, the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) scores, neck disability index (NDI) scores, cervical range of motion, and scores of each dimension (physical, psychological, environmental, social relationships) of the WHO quality of life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) were compared among the three groups. The clinical efficacy was compared among the three groups after treatment. Results After treatment, the pain VAS scores and NDI scores in the three groups were lower than those before treatment, while the FMA scores were higher than those before treatment. Compared with the PNF group and the heat-sensitive moxibustion group, the combination group had lower pain VAS scores and NDI scores, and higher FMA scores (P<0.05). The lengths from C2 to T12 in the sagittal plane and natural upright position in the three groups were longer than those before treatment, and the length in the combination group was longer than that in the PNF group and the heat-sensitive moxibustion group (P<0.05). The scores of all dimensions of WHOQOL-BREF in the three groups were higher than those before treatment, and the scores in the combination group were higher than those in the PNF group and the heat-sensitive moxibustion group (P<0.05). The efficacy of the combination group was superior to that of the PNF group and the heat-sensitive moxibustion group (P<0.05). Conclusion Heat-sensitive moxibustion combined with PNF can alleviate pain symptoms in patients with upper crossed syndrome, promote the recovery of upper limb function and cervical function, and improve clinical efficacy and quality of life.