What You Need To Know About Spinal Manipulation

Spinal Manipulation Therapy (SMT) is widely used by physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors to treat non-specific back pain. Perhaps you, or someone you know, has experienced SMT?

You might think that locating and manipulating or mobilising the painful or dysfunctional spinal segment is going to be more effective in relieving pain and restoring mobility than a non-targeted treatment.....but is it really?

In fact, a growing body of research evidence is showing that there's NO difference in pain or function after a targeted SMT session versus non-targeted treatment.

This should reassure you that mobilising the spine will help to reduce pain and restore function. You don't need to target a specific vertebrae or section of the spine to get a positive outcome.

Many SMT methods involve the practitioner identifying a painful or dysfunctional segment(s), and then either manipulating or mobilising the vertebrae at that level of the spine to restore normal segmental mobility.

But a 2021 review cast doubt on this assumption. Now a 2023 study has updated the evidence by assessing the differences in outcome between targeted versus non-targeted SMT treatments.

10 studies were included in the 2023 review, which included 931 participants with non-specific back pain +/- sciatic nerve pain (sciatica). The treating therapists in these 10 studies were 6x physiotherapists, 2x chiropractors and 2x osteopaths.7

8x studies involved spinal manipulations and 2x studies examined spinal mobilisations.

The primary outcome analysed was pain intensity, with a secondary outcome of self-reported disability (how much the study participants felt their pain affected their lifestyle and quality of life).

The review found no difference in post-treatment pain levels and disability between targeted versus non-targeted SMT treatment methods.

These results back up the earlier 2021 review.

Caveat - The 10 studies analysed in this most recent review are a tiny representation of the large number of musculoskeletal and soft tissue practitioners providing SMT treatments globally.

Takeaway

It's not necessary to locate or specifically manipulate or mobilise a dysfunctional segment to treat non-specific back pain, with or without sciatic pain.

In addition to the benefits of SMT, this also opens the door to you improving your pain, mobility and quality of life with self mobilising techniques.

Simple, natural movement patterns to restore mobility and reduce stiffness can be done easily in the comfort of your own home in just 10 minutes or less a day.

Think about the benefits of learning these movements to rebalance your body and dial down pain for yourself:

• Less time off from work to visit your therapist
• More free time in your diary to spend with your family, socialise with friends or do fun things that you enjoy
• Less money spent on fuel driving to your therapist's clinic
• Being able to make plans with confidence that you won't have to cancel last minute because you're in too much pain
• More quality of life, improved energy, better sleep and mental health
• Regaining your independence and self confidence

Start learning the foundational movements to balance your pelvis, the master controller of movement and load in the body, and release persistent muscle tension in just 10 minutes or less a day with my free E-guide, which includes 2x short video tutorials of these exercises.

Grab your copy HERE.

NEXT STEPS

• Get my expert insights on a specific injury or pain problem that you're struggling with in a 15 mins clarity call. This will help you move forwards to feeling better. Complete the interest form HERE and I'll send you a link to book your call with me.
• Book into a Stretch or Pilates class with me - these are a good introduction to The Befriend Your Body (BYB) Method (mindful movement) for pain relief.
• Come to a pop-up class - a different theme each month, open to everyone, run at a peaceful retreat venue, small group. See the class schedule HERE
• Subscribe HERE to receive "The Movement Chronicle", a weekly e-newsletter delivering mobility and pain reduction tips directly into your inbox every Monday morning,

You can connect with me on any of these channels:

• Email at norma@unicornhealthandfitness.com
• DM me on Facebook Messenger 
• WhatsApp message to 07801 867361.

 Study Link

Sorenson, P. et al (2023) Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Nonspecific Low Back Pain: Does Targeting a Specific Vertebral Level Make a Difference?: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 9. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2023.11962