Non-specific High-Velocity Manipulation Affects Low Back Pain

Written by Steven Weiniger Written by Steven Weiniger on Friday, 11 October 2013. Posted in Science

Non-Specific high velocity manipulation affects chronic low backpain intensity and pressure pain threshold the same as region specific adjusting, according to a recently published study.

DR. W’s CONJECTURE: Affecting the kinematics of the body’s chain of motion shifts mechanical stress and reduces immediate pain, regardless of specificity.

StrongPosture® IMPLICATION: Focusing an individual’s motion towards symmetry may reduce pain by reducing mechanical stress, and training people in focused motion individualized to their asymmetry can empower them for pain management and control.

DR. W’s OBSERVATION: The study looked only at immediate effect of SMT on chronic low back pain, not longer term results.

STUDY I’D LIKE TO SEE: Followup over a period of time comparing specific vs nonspecific.

STUDY I’D REALLY, REALLY LIKE TO SEE: Combining above with soft tissue mobilization and StrongPosture® exercise

Immediate effects of region-specific and non-region-specific spinal manipulative therapy in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial Phys Ther. 2013 Jun;93(6):748-56. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20120256. Epub 2013 Feb 21..de Oliveira RF, Liebano RE, Costa Lda C, Rissato LL, Costa LO.