Non-thrust cervical manipulations reduce short-term pain and decrease systolic blood pressure during intervention in...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Cardiovascular Science
• Musculoskeletal Medicine

Background:

• Neck pain is a prevalent condition affecting quality of life.
• Cervical spine manipulation is a common treatment for neck pain.
• The cardiovascular effects and pain response associations of different manipulation techniques require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between resting blood pressure and pain reduction after cervical spine non-thrust manipulation (NTM).
• To compare the cardiovascular effects of anterior-to-posterior (AP) versus lateral (LAT) NTM techniques on individuals with neck pain.

Main Methods:

• Forty-three participants with non-chronic neck pain were randomly assigned to receive either AP or LAT NTM.
• Blood pressure, heart rate, disability, and pain levels were measured before and after the intervention.
• Statistical analyses, including univariate, multivariate, and mixed-effect model ANOVA, were used to evaluate the data.

Main Results:

• Resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly associated with greater average pain reduction 2 days post-intervention.
• Both AP and LAT NTM techniques showed no significant differences in improving disability or reducing pain.
• A clinically significant reduction in 'worst neck pain' was observed in the AP group, and SBP decreased significantly over time during intervention.

Conclusions:

• Resting SBP is associated with short-term pain reduction following cervical NTM, suggesting a potential SBP-related hypoalgesic effect.
• Both AP and LAT NTM techniques appear equally effective in reducing short-term pain and may induce sympathoinhibition by decreasing SBP.
• Further research should explore the mediating and moderating role of SBP in response to spinal manipulation.