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Equine veterinary journal2007; 40(1); 14-20; doi: 10.2746/042516407X240456

The effects of chiropractic, massage and phenylbutazone on spinal mechanical nociceptive thresholds in horses without clinical signs.

Abstract: Common methods used to treat back problems in horses need to be assessed objectively. Objective: To measure spinal mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNTs) and evaluate the effects of chiropractic, massage and phenylbutazone, compared with active and inactive control groups. Methods: Baseline MNTs at 7 sites within the thoracolumbar and sacral regions were measured in 38 healthy mature horses exhibiting no clinical signs of lumbar pain. Horses were assigned to one of 3 treatment groups: instrument-assisted chiropractic treatment, therapeutic massage and phenylbutazone; or 2 control groups: ridden exercise (active control) or routine paddock turnout with no ridden exercise (inactive control). MNT measurements were repeated at 1, 3 and 7 days post treatment. The percentage change from baseline MNT values was calculated within groups. Results: On Day 7, the median MNT had increased by 27, 12 and 8% in the chiropractic, massage and phenylbutazone groups, respectively. MNT changes of <1% were seen within the active and inactive control groups. Conclusions: Chiropractic treatment and massage therapy increased spinal MNTs within horses not exhibiting signs of lumbar pain. Conclusions: Pressure algometry provides an objective tool to evaluate the effects of commonly used, but currently unproven treatment modalities on spinal MNTs. Future studies need to evaluate combined treatment effects and longer-term MNT changes in horses with documented back pain.
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Publication Date: 2007-12-18 PubMed ID: 18083655DOI: 10.2746/042516407X240456Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigated the effects of chiropractic treatment, massage therapy, and phenylbutazone on the spinal mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNTs) in horses without clinical signs of back pain.

Research Objective and Methods

  • The objective of this study was to provide an objective measurement of spinal MNTs in horses and to evaluate the effects of three commonly used treatments for back problems in horses – chiropractic treatment, massage therapy, and phenylbutazone.
  • The study examined 38 healthy mature horses that did not show any clinical signs of back pain.
  • The horses were divided into five groups: three treatment groups that each received either chiropractic, massage, or phenylbutazone treatment, and two control groups that were either ridden (active control) or left in the paddock without being ridden (inactive control).
  • The researchers measured the MNTs at seven different sites along the horses’ back before and for seven days after administering the treatments.

Research Findings

  • After seven days, chiropractic treatment had increased the MNTs by 27%, massage therapy increased them by 12%, and phenylbutazone increased them by 8%.
  • In contrast, the changes in MNTs in the active and inactive control groups were less than 1%.
  • These results suggest that chiropractic treatment and massage therapy can increase spinal MNTs in horses, which may be beneficial for treating back issues, even in horses that do not display any clinical signs of back pain.

Implications and Future Research

  • The research has demonstrated that pressure algometry, used to measure MNTs, can be an objective tool for assessing the effect of various treatments on horses’ backs.
  • The results also provide some support for the use of chiropractic treatment and massage therapy in horses, although further investigation is needed.
  • Future studies are recommended to look at the combined effects of different treatments and to examine changes in MNTs over a longer period. The researchers also suggest that future studies should include horses with documented back pain.

Cite This Article

APA
Sullivan KA, Hill AE, Haussler KK. (2007). The effects of chiropractic, massage and phenylbutazone on spinal mechanical nociceptive thresholds in horses without clinical signs. Equine Vet J, 40(1), 14-20. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516407X240456

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 40
Issue: 1
Pages: 14-20

Researcher Affiliations

Sullivan, K A
  • Valley Central High School, Montgomery, NY 12549, USA.
Hill, A E
    Haussler, K K

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
      • Back Pain / drug therapy
      • Back Pain / therapy
      • Back Pain / veterinary
      • Biomechanical Phenomena / methods
      • Combined Modality Therapy / veterinary
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / therapy
      • Horses / physiology
      • Lumbar Vertebrae / physiology
      • Male
      • Manipulation, Chiropractic / methods
      • Manipulation, Chiropractic / veterinary
      • Massage / methods
      • Massage / veterinary
      • Nociceptors / physiology
      • Pain Threshold / physiology
      • Phenylbutazone / therapeutic use
      • Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
      • Pressure
      • Thoracic Vertebrae / physiology
      • Treatment Outcome
      • Weight-Bearing / physiology

      Citations

      This article has been cited 19 times.
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