A Comparison of Seated Thoracic Manipulation and Targeted Supine Thoracic Manipulation on Cervical Flexion Motion and Pain

A Randomized Control Trial of the Immediate Effects of Seated Thoracic Manipulation and Targeted Supine Thoracic Manipulation on Cervical Spine Flexion Range of Motion and Pain

Thirty-nine patients with cervical spine pain were randomly assigned to either a seated thoracic manipulation or targeted supine thoracic manipulation group. Pain and flexion range of motion measures were taken before and after the intervention.

DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of seated thoracic manipulation versus targeted supine thoracic manipulation on cervical spine pain and flexion range of motion. There is evidence that thoracic spine manipulation is an effective treatment for patients with cervical spine pain. This evidence includes a variety of techniques to manipulate the thoracic spine. While each of them is effective, no research has compared techniques to determine which produces the best outcomes.

METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with cervical spine pain were randomly assigned to either a seated thoracic manipulation or targeted supine thoracic manipulation group. Pain and flexion range of motion measures were taken before and after the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Inclusion criteria required patients to be between 18-60 years old with a primary complaint of neck pain

Exclusion Criteria:

• identification of red flags suggestive of nonmusculoskeletal etiology, history of whiplash injury within six weeks of the initial visit, diagnosis of cervical spine stenosis, central nervous system involvement, or signs of nerve root compression (two of the following limited at the same level: strength, sensation, reflexes).