Muscle Activation Characteristics During Spinal Manipulation in Healthy and Low Back Pain Participants

Muscle Activation Characteristics During Spinal Manipulation in Healthy and Low Back Pain Participants

To characterize muscle activity through electromyography (EMG) of the lumbar spine during high velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) spinal manipulation according to parameters of practitioner contact (location, applied force) in healthy participants and two categories of low back pain participants.

Inclusion Criteria:

• male and female participants ages 18 to 55 years old

Exclusion Criteria:

Active Worker's Compensation claim related to low back pain episode Active personal injury case related to low back pain episode Currently taking muscle relaxers, steroids, or narcotics

• Body mass index > 30 kg/m2
• Active cancer process
• Active infection
• Pregnancy
• High risk of osteoporosis assessed using the World Health Organization Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (included in submission)
• Osteogenic conditions (see screening questionnaire)
• Premature menopause
• Latex Allergies
• Lumbar spine or pelvic surgery
• Past spinal trauma producing spinal fracture