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Release Date: February 13, 2002

 Contact: Robin R. Merrifield

1304 Perry Ave., Bremerton WA 98310

Phone: 800-343-0549 or 360-471-7837

Fax: 360-478-0834 • E-mail: FCERedit@aol.com

Des Moines, Iowa—A new study suggests that spinal manipulation to the cervical spine (performed by chiropractors) increases active range of motion.

The double-blind, randomized controlled study, published in the November/December 2001 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics,¹ involved 105 patients with cervicogenic headache who were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Following a 3-week baseline observation period, Group 1 received 3-weeks of sham manipulation (non-therapeutic manipulation), then 3-weeks of spinal manipulation to the cervical spine, and finally 3-weeks of no treatment. After the baseline period, Group 2 first received 3-weeks of cervical spinal manipulation, followed by 3-weeks of no treatment, and then 3-weeks of sham manipulation. Throughout the trial, at weeks 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12, cervical range of motion was measured by doctors unaware of the treatment the patient was receiving. The patients did not know what was being measured.

The chiropractic researchers found "a consistent and statistically significant increase in active range of motion in the cervical spine after manipulation."

"It is the fact that our range of motion study deals with a physiological variable exclusively (in contrast to symptoms, feelings, perceptions, etc.), that makes it so important," said study author Niels Nilsson, DC, MD, PhD, from the Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics at the University of Southern Denmark. "Chiropractors are often accused of ‘talking’ their patients well, suggesting that spinal manipulative therapy does not have any physiological effects on objective body function. This paper pulls the plug on that reasoning."

"Increased ranges of motion have been reported to accompany spinal manipulation," said Anthony Rosner, Ph.D., Director of Research for the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research. "But in the past there have been no clear comparisons with the deactivated Pettibon instrument [the sham manipulation] or with clearly defined no-treatment periods. Establishing increased ranges of motion confirms the biomechanical effect that previously has been presumed to accompany spinal manipulation. Furthermore, in many instances it appears that the effect is maintained with no further interventions for at least 3-week periods during the course of the study. In these respects, this study is significant and offers an important clue to more fully understanding and appreciating the consequences of spinal manipulation."

This study was conducted at the Phillip Chiropractic Research Centre at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. The study was funded through grants from the Australian Spinal Research Foundation, the Chiropractic Centennial Foundation, and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Alumni Fund.

Reference:

¹Whittingham W, Nilsson N. "Active Range of Motion in the Cervical Spine Increases After Spinal Manipulation (Toggle Recoil)." Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. November/December 2001; Vol. 24, No. 9.

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