Forces generated during spinal manipulative therapy of the cervical spine: a pilot study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the forces imparted to the cervical spine using direct sampling methods during a clinical episode of spinal manipulative therapy.

Design: Quantitative study.

Setting: Human Performance Laboratory, University of Calgary.

Participants: Two doctor/patient pairs. Patients were selected by the treating chiropractors from their existing patients pools.

Interventions: SMT to the cervical spine (toggle method) on three separate occasions over a 2-wk period. The clinical relevancy of the treatment was assessed via before and after measures of tissue compliance.

Main outcome measure: a) Forces during manipulation: preload and peak forces. b) Duration of applied forces.

Results: a) Mean peak force = 117.7 N (+/- 15.6 N). b) Mean duration of force = 101.7 msec (+/- 14.7 msec).

Conclusion: The forces obtained with direct sampling methods compare favorably to previous measurements obtained from indirect sampling techniques, yet the force duration times are smaller (faster) using the direct method.