Normalizing Cervical Intersegmental Kinematics With Spinal Manipulative Therapy

Intersegmental and Global Range of Motion

The broad long-term objective is to develop an objective biomarker for spinal health based on
 aberrant or abnormal movement patterns during functional activities to better target spinal
 manipulation therapy (SMT) and other conservative treatments. The central hypotheses are a)
 that aberrant spinal motions and their location (area and level) are indicative of underlying
 spinal dysfunction, and b) that quantified 3D cervical spine intersegmental and global motion
 patterns during functional tasks can be used as a biomarker for subsequent clinical studies
 aimed at normalizing cervical kinematics.
 
 Specific Aim: Determine the extent to which SMT can modulate, or normalize, intersegmental
 motion in patients with neck pain. Rationale: SMT is a force-based biomechanical event whose
 hypothesized mechanism of action relies on moving the segment into the para-physiological
 zone, resulting in normalization of spinal kinematic function. Hypothesis: Severity of
 abnormal or aberrant motion, identified in those with NP, will improve following SMT.
 Approach: Participants with chronic mechanical neck pain will be recruited and randomized
 into one of three groups: 1) No Treatment, 2) Light Massage (pseudo- sham), and 3) Spinal
 Manipulative Therapy. Using a repeated measures study design, metrics of quality of spinal
 motion will be compared before and after the prescribed intervention.