The Effect of Manipulation of the Cervical Spine on Pain Biomarkers (HVLAT)
Neck Pain, Posterior
About this trial
This is an interventional basic science trial for Neck Pain, Posterior
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- 20 - 45 years of age
- A score of 10 or more out of 50 on the Neck Disability Index (NDI) questionnaire
- Symptoms of pain present for 30 days or less and no pain symptoms below your shoulder
Exclusion Criteria:
- Serious condition (such as cancer, spondylolisthesis, rheumatoid arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis)
- Cervical spinal stenosis signs (such as incoordination in hands, arms and legs, inability of walking at a brisk pace, or bowel and bladder incontinence)
- Nerve root compression (such as changes in sensation, muscle weakness, or decreased reflexes)
- Works the night shift
- Steroid medication within 3 months
- Pregnancy or postpartum
- Pending legal action regarding their neck pain
- History of whiplash associated disorder and/or cervical spine surgery
Sites / Locations
- Loma Linda University
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Sham Comparator
HVLAT manipulation
Sham HVLAT manipulation
An HVLAT manipulation is applied to the site of pain or restriction with the patient in supine. This technique uses both primary levers (pre-manipulation rotation - away (30 ° - 45 °) from the side of pain or limitation) and secondary levers (Side bending - towards coupled with lateral shift - away, and posterior-anterior (PA) shift (extension). This is a bimanual technique. For the applicator hand, the anterolateral portion of the first or second phalanx of the second ray was positioned on the superior joint partner of the target vertebrae using a cradle hold. The other hand is placed on the posterolateral aspect of the occiput (above the ear). While maintaining these positions the clinician performed the thrust with the arc of rotation dependent on the level of the target vertebrae.
Subjects in the control group were instructed to lay on a table in the same position as the HVLAT manipulation group. The clinician went through the same basic steps as the HVLAT manipulation, localizing the appropriate vertebral landmarks but without carrying out the final HVLA thrust procedure.