Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics
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J Manipulative Physiol Ther · Feb 2006
ReviewTrunk-strengthening exercises for chronic low back pain: a systematic review.
The objective of this systematic review was to determine the effect of lumbar spine-strengthening exercises on outcomes for people with chronic low back pain. ⋯ Trunk strengthening appears effective compared with no exercise. Increasing exercise intensity and adding motivation increase treatment effects. Trunk strengthening, compared with aerobics or McKenzie exercises, showed no clear benefit of strengthening. It is unclear whether observed benefits are due to tissue loading or movement repetition.
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J Manipulative Physiol Ther · Sep 2005
ReviewChiropractic manipulation and acute neck pain: a review of the evidence.
The aim of this study was to review the chiropractic and medical literature in an effort to determine the extent of current evidence supporting the use of chiropractic manipulation for the treatment of acute neck pain. ⋯ There has been scant investigative research into the treatment of acute neck pain with chiropractic manipulation. Consequently, more data are needed and appropriate studies should be initiated.
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J Manipulative Physiol Ther · Feb 2005
ReviewStatus of activator methods chiropractic technique, theory, and practice.
To provide an historical overview, description, synthesis, and critique of the Activator Adjusting Instrument (AAI) and Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique of clinical assessment. ⋯ A body of basic science and clinical research has been generated on the AAI since its first peer-reviewed publication in 1986. The Activator analysis may be a clinically useful tool, but its ultimate scientific validation requires testing using sophisticated research models in the areas of neurophysiology, biomechanics, and statistical analysis.
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J Manipulative Physiol Ther · Jun 2004
ReviewCentral neuronal plasticity, low back pain and spinal manipulative therapy.
Recent experimental evidence demonstrating neuronal/synaptic plasticity and, in particular, long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) in spinal neurons is reviewed. The implications of these studies for possible mechanistic explanations of low back pain and its remediation by spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) are explored. Brief descriptions of LTP and LTD and elaboration of the key roles of calcium, glutamate, and glutamate receptors in LTP/LTD are provided as separate appendices. ⋯ The potential involvement of LTP in low back pain is discussed and a role for LTD in spinal manipulative therapy is proposed. The need for future studies is identified in the areas of spatial and temporal changes in symptomatology post-SMT of the low back; combining, sequencing, and comparing several therapeutic approaches; and demonstrating LTD in spinal cord neurons post-SMT-like stimulation.
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J Manipulative Physiol Ther · May 2004
ReviewParaspinal muscles and intervertebral dysfunction: part one.
One of the diagnostic characteristics of the manipulable spinal lesion--a musculoskeletal disturbance detected by manual palpation and corrected with manipulation--is said to be altered segmental tissue texture. Various manual therapy authors have speculated on the possible nature of this tissue change, with some authors hypothesizing that it represents deep segmental muscle overactivity. ⋯ Although little direct evidence exists of the nature of clinically detected paraspinal tissue texture change, the concept of reactive muscle contraction appears plausible. Increased paraspinal EMG activity associated with LBP does not appear to be mediated by a simple protective reflex.