The journal of alternative and complementary medicine : research on paradigm, practice, and policy
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J Altern Complement Med · Sep 2011
ReviewThe role of spinal manipulation, soft-tissue therapy, and exercise in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a review of the literature and proposal of an anatomical explanation.
The premise that lung function can regulate chest wall mobility is an accepted concept. Descriptions of the primary and accessory respiratory structures do not usually include spinal components as a part of these classifications. The case for including these components as a part of the respiratory mechanism and their role in the development of dyspnea and chest wall rigidity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is reviewed. ⋯ Delaying the onset of dyspnea permits more exercise to be performed before dyspnea develops. Spinal manipulation and soft-tissue therapy have the potential to deliver such a delay. Because exercise tolerance is considered to be a strong predictor of quality of life and survival in COPD, any increase in exercise capacity would therefore improve prognosis for the disease.