Effects of a manually assisted mechanical force on cutaneous temperature

Area of Science:

• Chiropractic research
• Biomedical engineering
• Thermoregulation studies

Background:

• Digitized infrared segmental thermometry (DIST) measures cutaneous temperature (CT).
• Chiropractic adjustments involve mechanical force application to the spine.
• Understanding thermoregulatory responses to chiropractic care is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique on lumbar spine CT.
• To compare CT changes during two different time recording periods (TRPs).
• To investigate the impact of mechanical force and thrust application on CT.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-six healthy subjects were divided into acclimatization groups (8 or 30 minutes) and then into treatment, sham, or control subgroups.
• Bilateral DIST was performed using infrared cameras at L-4 and L-5.
• Intervention involved the Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique with varying thrusts and pressures.

Main Results:

• TRP(8) showed significant pre-treatment CT differences between ipsilateral and contralateral sides.
• At 10 minutes post-intervention, CT significantly increased in the treatment group (TRP(8)) but not in sham/control groups.
• TRP(30) showed no significant pre-treatment differences, but all subgroups had increased CT at 10 minutes post-intervention.

Conclusions:

• Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique adjustments, with or without thrust, produced immediate CT cooling.
• A standard loading principle thrust resulted in secondary cooling followed by rewarming.
• Sham procedures without thrust did not alter CT, indicating the thrust's role in temperature changes.