The Facts:
a. Spinal manipulation is a common form of treatment for musculoskeletal conditions.
b. It is frequently used for the treatment of pain.
c. The mechanism by which this manipulative therapy reduces pain is unclear.
d. However, one method by which spinal manipulation may reduce pain is by reducing pain sensitivity.
e. “Meta-analysis was appropriate for studies examining the immediate effect of SMT on mechanical pain pressure pain threshold (PPT).”
f. They reviewed 20 studies.
g. Spinal manipulation increased PPT.
h. While the reasons for SMT’s ability to reduce pain are still not clear it does appear to “modulate pain through both central and peripheral pathways.” (emphasis ours)
Take Home:
Spinal manipulation tends to decrease patient pain. It may do this, at least in part, by increasing the pain pressure pain threshold.
Reviewer’s Comments:
It would be significant to learn the exact mechanisms by which spinal adjustment accomplishes so much. This type of research may be of great benefit to all stakeholders and to society at large.
Reviewer: Roger Coleman DC
Reference: Coronado RA, Gay CW, Bialosky JE, Carnaby GD, Bishop MD, George SZ. Changes in pain sensitivity following spinal manipulation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2012;22:752-67
Link to Abstract: