Effects of vertebral mobilization and manipulation on kinematics of the thoracolumbar region.
Abstract: To measure passive spinal movements induced during dorsoventral mobilization and evaluate effects of induced pain and spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) on passive vertebral mobility in standing horses. Methods: 10 healthy adult horses. Methods: Baseline vertical displacements, applied force, stiffness, and frequency of the oscillations were measured during dorsoventral spinal mobilization at 5 thoracolumbar intervertebral sites. As a model for back pain, fixation pins were temporarily implanted into the dorsal spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae at 2 of the intervertebral sites. Vertebral variables were recorded again after pin placement and treadmill locomotion. In a randomized crossover study, horses were allocated to control and treatment interventions, separated by a 7-day washout period. The SMT consisted of high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts applied to the 3 non-pin-placement sites. Control horses received no treatment. Results: The amplitudes of vertical displacement increased from cranial to caudal in the thoracolumbar portion of the vertebral column. Pin implantation caused no immediate changes at adjacent intervertebral sites, but treadmill exercise caused reductions in most variables. The SMT induced a 15% increase in displacement and a 20% increase in applied force, compared with control measurements. Conclusions: The passive vertical mobility of the trunk varied from cranial to caudal. At most sites, SMT increased the amplitudes of dorsoventral displacement and applied force, indicative of increased vertebral flexibility and increased tolerance to pressure in the thoracolumbar portion of the vertebral column.
Publication Date: 2007-05-03 PubMed ID: 17472450DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.68.5.508Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research explored how therapies like vertebrae movement and manipulation affect the mobility of the thoracolumbar region in horses. The study found that vertebral mobilization and manipulation could improve flexibility and pressure tolerance in the thoracolumbar region of horses, particularly post-treadmill exercise.
Methodology
- The study involved 10 healthy adult horses. It aimed to measure the passive spinal movements generated during dorsoventral mobilization and assess the impacts of pain and spinal manipulative therapy on passive vertebral mobility in standing horses.
- Using temporary fixation pins implanted into the dorsal spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae and a treadmill for locomotion, the researchers applied different conditions (pain induction and movement) to study effects on vertebral mobility.
- High-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts were applied at 3 non-pin-placement areas as part of the spinal manipulative therapy while control horses received no treatment.
- The study was structured as a random crossover study, meaning horses underwent control and treatment interventions alternately, separated by a 7-day washout period.
Results
- The researchers found that the vertical displacement amplitudes went up from cranial to caudal in the thoracolumbar region of the vertebral column.
- No immediate effects were evident at nearby intervertebral locations upon pin insertion. However, treadmill exercise led to reductions in most variables.
- Spinal manipulative therapy triggered a 15% increase in displacement and a 20% increase in applied force, relative to the control measurements.
Conclusions
- The study concluded that in the thoracolumbar vertebral column area, the passive vertical mobility varies from cranial to caudal.
- Spinal manipulative therapy seemed to increase the displacement and applied force amplitudes at many sites, suggesting increased vertebral flexibility and enhanced pressure tolerance.
Cite This Article
APA
Haussler KK, Hill AE, Puttlitz CM, McIlwraith CW.
(2007).
Effects of vertebral mobilization and manipulation on kinematics of the thoracolumbar region.
Am J Vet Res, 68(5), 508-516.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.68.5.508 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Cross-Over Studies
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Musculoskeletal Manipulations / methods
- Musculoskeletal Manipulations / veterinary
- Pain / veterinary
- Pain Management
- Spine / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Maldonado MD, Parkinson SD, Story MR, Haussler KK. The Effect of Chiropractic Treatment on Limb Lameness and Concurrent Axial Skeleton Pain and Dysfunction in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 19;12(20).
- Haussler KK, Hesbach AL, Romano L, Goff L, Bergh A. A Systematic Review of Musculoskeletal Mobilization and Manipulation Techniques Used in Veterinary Medicine. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 24;11(10).
- Jun P, Pagé I, Vette A, Kawchuk G. Potential mechanisms for lumbar spinal stiffness change following spinal manipulative therapy: a scoping review. Chiropr Man Therap 2020 Mar 23;28(1):15.
- Tabor G, Nankervis K, Fernandes J, Williams J. Generation of Domains for the Equine Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Outcome Score: Development by Expert Consensus. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jan 25;10(2).
- Memon MA, Shmalberg J, Adair HS 3rd, Allweiler S, Bryan JN, Cantwell S, Carr E, Chrisman C, Egger CM, Greene S, Haussler KK, Hershey B, Holyoak GR, Johnson M, Jeune SL, Looney A, McConnico RS, Medina C, Morton AJ, Munsterman A, Nie GJ, Park N, Parsons-Doherty M, Perdrizet JA, Peyton JL, Raditic D, Ramirez HP, Saik J, Robertson S, Sleeper M, Dyke JV, Wakshlag J. Integrative veterinary medical education and consensus guidelines for an integrative veterinary medicine curriculum within veterinary colleges. Open Vet J 2016;6(1):44-56.
- Shmalberg J, Memon MA. A Retrospective Analysis of 5,195 Patient Treatment Sessions in an Integrative Veterinary Medicine Service: Patient Characteristics, Presenting Complaints, and Therapeutic Interventions. Vet Med Int 2015;2015:983621.
- Paksoy Y, Ural K, Erdoğan H, Erdoğan S, Paşa S. Behavioral Assessment of Equine Relaxation Following Manual Therapy: A Pilot Study. Vet Sci 2025 Sep 5;12(9).
- Young KJ, Leboeuf-Yde C, Gorrell L, Bergström C, Evans DW, Axén I, Chance-Larsen K, Gagey O, Georgopoulos V, Goncalves G, Harris C, Harsted S, Kerry R, Lee E, McCarthy C, Nim C, Nyirö L, Schweinhardt P, Vogel S. Mechanisms of manipulation: a systematic review of the literature on immediate anatomical structural or positional changes in response to manually delivered high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation. Chiropr Man Therap 2024 Sep 11;32(1):28.
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