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Related Experiment Videos

Reflex responses associated with activator treatment.

B P Symons1, W Herzog, T Leonard

  • 1Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
|April 20, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Instrument-based spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) elicits local reflex responses in muscles, differing from manual SMT. These responses, measured by surface electromyography (sEMG), suggest a proprioceptor origin, likely muscle spindles.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuromuscular physiology
  • Spinal biomechanics
  • Manual therapy research

Background:

  • Previous research confirmed reflex responses to manual spinal manipulative therapy (SMT), measurable via surface electromyography (sEMG).
  • These manual SMT-induced reflexes were consistent, reproducible, and nonlocal.
  • The reflex responses to non-manual SMT, particularly instrument-assisted methods, were previously uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize reflex responses to instrument-assisted SMT using sEMG.
  • To record and analyze responses in 16 paraspinal and proximal limb muscles.
  • To compare these responses to those from manual SMT.

Main Methods:

  • Surface electromyography (sEMG) recorded muscle activity in 9 healthy males.

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  • sEMG measured 16 paraspinal and proximal limb muscles before, during, and after instrument-assisted SMT.
  • SMT was applied bilaterally at 6 spinal regions using an adjusting instrument.

    • Main Results:

    • Approximately 68% of instrument-assisted SMT thrusts produced a detectable reflex response.
    • Reflex detection rates varied by spinal region, with sacroiliac joints at 94% and cervical spine at 50%.
    • Responses were local, occurring near the manipulation site and in muscles with attachments at the adjusted vertebral level.

    Conclusions:

    • Instrument-assisted SMT elicits local reflex responses, hypothesized to originate from muscle spindles.
    • These reflexes differ quantitatively and qualitatively from those induced by manual SMT.
    • Reflex responses varied between subjects but were consistent within individuals.