Observed Changes in Lateral Abdominal Muscle Thickness After Spinal Manipulation: A Case Series Using Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging

Investigation of Abdominal Muscle Thickness Changes After Spinal Manipulation in Patients Who Meet a Clinical Prediction Rule for Lumbar Stabilization

“…A growing body of literature suggests that spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) may facilitate the neuromuscular system as well. 1,3,19,23,40,43,49,50 SMT has been traditionally used for reducing pain and restoring range of motion. The exact mechanisms of how SMT results in a therapeutic effect have not been determined yet remain an important research priority.…”

“…While these variables or predictors of response do not directly represent pathoanatomical characteristics, it is often thought that this LSE subgroup may include those suspected of having neuromuscular deficits of lumbar spine stabilizing muscles. 24 Neuromuscular deficits, specifically delayed and reduced contraction of lateral abdominal muscles, including the transversus abdominis (TrA) and internal oblique (IO) muscle, have been implicated in LBP 12,19,[29][30][31]50,54 and sacroiliac joint pain. 32 The abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM), an exercise used to contract the TrA, 26 is an exercise specifically used to treat neuromuscular T T STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series.…”

Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging of the Abdominal Muscles

“…119 For example, a muscle with an increase in relative thickness due to increased baseline activity may appear enlarged in comparison to what is typical for an individual of a comparable size, gender, and activity level, with a characteristic appearance of protruding into its fascia and adjacent muscle layers (FiGure 2B). The assumption that there is increased baseline activity can be supported clinically, if the shape of the muscle changes based on positioning or following treatment (such as manual therapy 31,84 ), or if the image differs from the contralateral abdominal wall. In the future, researchers should assess how these qualitative characteristics seen with a static ultrasound image correlate with clinical indicators.…”

The effect of food consumption on the thickness of abdominal muscles, employing ultrasound measurements

“…In studies performed in the aim of finding the relation among muscle thickness and some demographic characteristics of healthy subjects, divergent results have been reported [20,27,29]; respecting obtained results from current study, it can be assumed that absence of subjects matching regarding food consumption might be a potential reason for mentioned discrepancies. Besides, post manipulative [26] post Pilate exercise [5] and post upper limb exercise [21] evaluation of TrA muscle thickness did show improvement in thickness and strength of muscles. It seems in none of these studies the subjects have been matched regarding emptiness or fullness of stomach.…”