Objective
This project determined the location and distribution of cavitations (audible sounds producing vibrations) in the lumbar zygapophyseal (Z) joints that were targeted by spinal manipulative therapy (SMT).
Methods
This randomized, controlled, clinical study assessed 40 healthy subjects (20 male, 20 female), 18–30 years of age, that were block randomized into SMT (Group 1, n=30) or side-posture positioning only (Group 2, control, n=10) groups. Nine accelerometers were placed on each patient (7 on SPs/sacral tubercles of L1–S2 and 2 placed 3 cm left and right lateral to the L4/L5 interspinous space). Accelerometer recordings were made during side-posture positioning (Groups 1 and 2) and SMT (Group 1 only). The SMT was delivered by a chiropractic physician with 19 years of practice experience and included 2 high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts delivered in rapid succession. Comparisons using chi-square or McNemar’s test were made between number of joints cavitating from: Group 1 vs. Group 2, up-side (contact side for SMT) vs. down-side, and Z joints within the target area (L3/L4, L4L5, L5/S1) vs. outside the target area (L1/L2, L2/L3, sacroiliac).
Results
Fifty-six cavitations were recorded from 46 joints of 40 subjects. Eight joints cavitated more than once. Group 1 joints cavitated more than Group 2 joints (p<0.0001), up-side joints cavitated more than down-side joints (p<0.0001), and joints inside the target area cavitated more than those outside the target area (p<0.01).
Conclusions
Most cavitations (93.5%) occurred on the up-side of SMT subjects in segments within the target area (71.7%). As expected, SMT subjects cavitated more frequently than side-posture positioning only subjects (96.7% vs. 30%). Multiple cavitations from the same Z joints had not been previously reported.
Type of massage was the main factor affecting change in BP. Increases in BP were noted for potentially painful massage techniques, including trigger point therapy.
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 MRI protocol groups) had 2 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appointments (initial enrollment [M1] and following 2 weeks of chiropractic treatment [M2]; 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 (M1 appointment) or assigned (M2 appointment) into SPP (non-manipulation), SMT (manipulation), or control MRI protocol groups. After SPP or SMT, a second MRI was taken. The central anterior-posterior (A-P) joint space was measured. Difference between most painful side A-P measurements taken post- and pre-intervention was the Z joint “gapping difference.” Gapping differences were compared (ANOVA) among protocol groups. Secondary measures of pain visual analog scale (VAS), verbal numeric pain rating scale (VNPRS), and function Bournemouth questionnaire (BQ) were assessed.
Results
Gapping differences were significant at the first (adjusted, p=0.01; SPP=0.66 +0.48mm; SMT=0.23 +0.86; control=0.18 +0.71) and second (adjusted, p=0.0005; SPP=0.65 +0.92mm, SMT=0.89 +0.71; control=0.35 +0.32) MRI appointments. VNPRS differences were significant at first MRI appointment (p=0.04) with SMT showing the greatest improvement. VAS and BQ improved after two weeks of care in all groups (both p<0.0001).
Conclusions
SPP showed greatest gapping at baseline. After two weeks, SMT resulted in greatest gapping. SPP appeared to have additive therapeutic benefit to SMT.
This the first known study to define the rate of side-effects after massage therapy treatment. These data are important for risk-benefit analyses of massage care. Larger studies are needed to verify these data and to assess effects of different massage types and durations.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.