A Pilot MRI Study of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain

A Pilot MRI Study of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment of Acute Low Back Pain

This is a pilot project intended to determine the feasibility of detecting soft tissue changes in response to osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). MRIs of the lumbar and pelvic regions of low back pain (LBP) patients will be taken once before and at two different time points after OMT. Images obtained will be quantitatively analyzed for changes in the volumes of back muscles and for changes (T2 signals) indicative of activity levels or pathological conditions. Electromyography (EMG) will be used as an independent measure of back muscle activity for comparison with MRI results.

Inclusion criteria:

• Adult patients (18-55)
• Patients with LBP with acute symptoms (within last 3 weeks)
• Test positive for lumbar somatic dysfunction

Exclusion criteria:

• History of any spinal injuries/surgeries

• Positive findings of frank neurological signs during physical exam

• Any other orthopedic or neurological impairment

• Unsuitable for MRI imaging:

  • Cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator
  • Severe Claustrophobia
  • Injured by a metallic object that was not removed
  • Cochlear (ear) implants
  • Surgery involving a metallic implant (e.g. knee replacement)
  • Weight more than 300 lbs/136 kg (weight limit for scanner bed)