Spinal manipulative therapy has been recommended as a front-line treatment for spinal pain in nearly every clinical guideline due to its efficacy and safety. However, the specific mechanisms of action continue to be revealed through new research.
In this study, the researchers evaluated the associations between the manipulated segments and changes in pain and stiffness. They discovered that pain sensitivity, measured as changes in pressure pain threshold, was decreased greater at the target site than in the rest of the spinal region, but a generalized overall decrease was noted. As the reduction in pain increased, so did the pressure pain threshold. Its thought that this occurs due to a neurophysiological reflex.
The reduction of pain, without risks and dependency issues associated with medications, is one of the primary reasons why spinal manipulative therapy has become a popular treatment option for people with low back pain.
“Clinical guidelines recommend spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) for chronic low back pain.”
“…the analgesic effect may be greater when directed at pain-sensitive segments.”
“Spinal manipulative therapy appears to have a segment-specific neurophysiological reflex effect that decreases deep mechanical pain sensitivity when directed at hyper-algesic segments….”
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