For almost 120 years chiropractic has been based on the idea that chiropractic adjustments help people live healthier, happier more active lives by removing interference to the nervous system. Chiropractors have also placed a lot of emphasis on specificity – the idea that the line of drive of the adjustment and the amount of preload applied in setting up for the adjustment are incredibly important aspects of the art of the adjustment. This study aims to add to the understanding of these two ideas by measuring the effect of chiropractic adjustments to adjustments using different preload, force and line of drive.
Most recent theories on the mechanism of chiropractic adjustments emphasise the central role of the thalamus. Its function includes relaying sensation, spatial sense, and motor signals to the cerebral cortex, along with the regulation of consciousness, sleep, and alertness. Since the thalamus serves as an integration and relay site for neural messages sent from the rest of the body, it becomes an excellent location to study the sensory effects of the spinal adjustment.
This study will use electrophysiological recording techniques to record the response from neurons in the thalamus before and after a spinal adjustment has been given to a rat vertebra in the lower back.
Grant Value: $19,465
Chief Investigator: Dr William Reed – Palmer College of Chiropractic
Status: Complete
Publications:
- Experimental Brain Research, Volume 235, Issue 9, September 2017, Pages 2883-2892
Reed, W.R., Cranston, J.T., Onifer, S.M. et al. Decreased spontaneous activity and altered evoked nociceptive response of rat thalamic submedius neurons to lumbar vertebra thrust. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-017-5013-5 - Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Volume 37, Issue 5, June 2014, Pages 277-286
Reed WR, Pickar JG, Sozio RS, Long, CR. Effect of spinal manipulation thrust magnitude on trunk mechanical thresholds of lateral thalamic neurons. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2014.04.001 - Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Volume 37, Issue 8, October 2014, Pages 552-560
Reed WR, Sozio, R, Pickar JG, Onifer SM. Effect of spinal manipulation thrust duration on trunk mechanical activation thresholds of nociceptive-specific lateral thalamic neurons. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2014.08.006
Posters:
- Society for Neuroscience October 2012, New Orleans, LA, USA
Effect of spinal manipulation on thalamic neuron somatic activation thresholds - NIH 9th Pain Consortium, May 2014. Maryland, USA
Reed WR, Pickar JG, Peripheral Proprioceptive and Central Nociceptive Responses to Spinal Manipulation Dosage Parameters
Presentations:
- Society for Neuroscience October 2015, Chicago, IL, USA
Reed WR, Cranston JT, Onifer SM, Sozio RS. Effect of spinal manipulation on spontaneous and evoked activity of thalamic submedius neurons (603.05). - International Research Congress on Integrative Health & Medicine May 2014, Miami, Florida, USA
Reed WR, Sozio R, Pickar J, Onifer SM. Effect of spinal manipulation thrust duration on trunk mechanical activation thresholds of nociceptive specific lateral thalamic neurons. - Association of Chiropractic Colleges-Research Agenda Conference March 2014, Orlando, Florida, USA
Reed WR, Sozio RS, Pickar JG, Long CR. Spinal manipulation can increase trunk mechanical thresholds of lateral thalamic neurons.(Platform)