Posted by: Kevin G. Parker, D.C.
Side note before the article…
1. Chiropractic Manipulation Therapy is effective for low-back pain.
2. Scientists are still discovering exactly what makes chiropractic manipulation effective.
related articles:
Traction effective in promoting repair to degraded disc-Spine 2014
Manipulation in Improving Motion and Joint Health ~Review of Medical literature
The Science of Spine and Joint Health
more articles at bottom of the page…
CONCLUSIONS: Side-posture positioning showed greatest gapping at baseline.
After 2 weeks, Spinal Manipulation Therapy resulted in greatest gapping.
Side-posture positioning appeared to have additive therapeutic benefit to SMT.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this study was to quantify lumbar zygapophyseal (Z) joint space separation (gapping) in low back pain (LBP) subjects after spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) or side-posture positioning (SPP).
METHODS:
This was a controlled mechanisms trial with randomization and blinding.
Acute LBP subjects (N = 112; four n = 28 magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] protocol groups) had 2 MRI appointments (initial enrollment and after 2 weeks of chiropractic treatment, receiving 2 MRI scans of the L4/L5 and L5/S1 Z joints at each MRI appointment.
After the first MRI scan of each appointment, subjects were randomized (initial enrollment appointment) or assigned (after 2 weeks of chiropractic treatment appointment) into SPP (nonmanipulation), SMT (manipulation), or control MRI protocol groups.
After SPP or SMT, a second MRI was taken.
The central anterior-posterior joint space was measured.
Difference between most painful side anterior-posterior measurements taken postintervention and preintervention was the Z joint “gapping difference.”
Gapping differences were compared (analysis of variance) among protocol groups.
Secondary measures of pain (visual analog scale, verbal numeric pain rating scale) and function (Bournemouth questionnaire) were assessed.
RESULTS:
Gapping differences were significant at the first (adjusted, P = .009; SPP, 0.66 ± 0.48 mm; SMT, 0.23 ± 0.86; control, 0.18 ± 0.71) and second (adjusted, P = .0005; SPP, 0.65 ± 0.92 mm; SMT, 0.89 ± 0.71; control, 0.35 ± 0.32) MRI appointments.
Verbal numeric pain rating scale differences were significant at first MRI appointment (P = .04) with SMT showing the greatest improvement.
Visual analog scale and Bournemouth questionnaire improved after 2 weeks of care in all groups (both P < .0001).
Related Articles:
Chiropractic Listed as Lower Back Treatment Option in Medical Jr. JAMA-2013
Chiropractic vs. Medicine for Acute Low Back Pain- Spine Journal 2010:
Chiropractic cost effective-Blue Cross Blue Shield claims analysis-JMPT 2010:
Chiropractic Care Cost effective
Spine Manipulation compared to NSAIDS-Spine J Vol 38, No 7 2013
Sciatica-like symptoms derived from the Sacroiliac Joint-Eur Spine J. 2013
Cervical spine manipulation-Clinical Neurophysiology 2007
Chiropractic Manipulation and Rehabilitation Irvine Calif.
Chiropractic care-reduce disability recurrences-Jr of Occupational and Enviro Med-2011
Chiropractic may reduce elderly injuries-2012
If you are suffering from: Sports Injuries, Sprains, Strains, Car accident, Herniated Disc, Disc Bulge, Degenerative Disc Disease, Neck pain, Headaches, Low back pain, of just want to feel better and have better life performance– please call our office in Irvine, California- at 949.857.1888or visit our website at ADJUST2IT to learn more about Functional Fitness Chiropractic, Sports massage,Myofascial Release, Corrective Exercise, Non Surgical Spinal Decompression, Class IV laser, and Functional Nutrition.
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