acute effect of thoracal mobilization

Introduction

Thoracic mobilization is a manual therapy technique used to address various musculoskeletal issues, including neck pain, back pain, and respiratory function. This synthesis examines the acute effects of thoracic mobilization on pain, disability, autonomic function, and respiratory parameters based on multiple research studies.

Key Insights

Pain and Disability Reduction in Neck Pain:
- Thoracic spine thrust mobilization/manipulation results in significantly greater short-term reductions in pain and disability compared to nonthrust mobilization/manipulation in patients with neck pain .
- Both thoracic spine manipulation and mobilization significantly decrease pain ratings and increase cervical range of motion (CROM) in chronic neck pain patients, with manipulation showing slightly more pronounced effects.
Autonomic Function and Pain Pressure Threshold:
- The addition of thoracic mobilization to aerobic exercise does not alter autonomic function or pain pressure threshold acutely in asymptomatic young people.
- Different rates of thoracic mobilization (0.5 Hz, 2 Hz) do not significantly change pressure pain thresholds (PPT) in asymptomatic individuals.
Respiratory Function in Chronic Low Back Pain:
- Thoracic mobilization significantly improves respiratory parameters such as Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Sustained Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (SMIP), and Chest Wall Expansion (CWE) in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.
- Manual mobilization of the thoracic spine enhances respiratory function and reduces disability in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
Immediate Effects on Cervical Range of Motion:
- Thoracic spine self-mobilization increases active cervical flexion and extension range of motion (ROM) immediately in patients with mechanical neck pain.
Hypoalgesic Effects:
- High force thoracic mobilizations cause a significantly greater hypoalgesic response compared to low force mobilizations in asymptomatic participants, indicating a dose-dependent effect on pain reduction.

Conclusion

Thoracic mobilization has been shown to effectively reduce pain and disability in patients with neck pain, particularly when high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust techniques are used. While it does not significantly impact autonomic function or pain pressure thresholds in asymptomatic individuals, it can improve respiratory function in patients with chronic low back pain and ankylosing spondylitis. Additionally, thoracic mobilization can immediately enhance cervical range of motion in individuals with mechanical neck pain. The hypoalgesic effects of thoracic mobilization appear to be dose-dependent, with higher forces yielding greater pain relief.

Acute effect of thoracal mobilization

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

The addition of thoracic mobilization to aerobic exercise did not alter autonomic function and pain pressure threshold acutely in asymptomatic young people: A randomized controlled trial.

Aerobic exercise alone or with thoracic mobilization does not alter pain pressure threshold in healthy adults.

Short-Term Effects of Thrust Versus Nonthrust Mobilization/Manipulation Directed at the Thoracic Spine in Patients With Neck Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Thrust mobilization/manipulation significantly reduces short-term pain and disability compared to nonthrust mobilization/manipulation in patients with neck pain.

Upper cervical and upper thoracic thrust manipulation versus nonthrust mobilization in patients with mechanical neck pain: a multicenter randomized clinical trial.

The combination of upper cervical and upper thoracic HVLA thrust manipulation is significantly more effective in short-term pain relief and range of motion improvement for patients with mechanical neck pain compared to nonthrust mobilization.

Effect of thoracic mobilization on respiratory parameters in chronic non-specific low back pain: A randomized controlled trial.

Additional thoracic mobilization, in addition to low back pain treatment and breathing exercises, significantly improves respiratory parameters and reduces disability in chronic non-specific low back pain patients.

Immediate effects of thoracic spine self-mobilization in patients with mechanical neck pain: A randomized controlled trial.

Thoracic spine self-mobilization alone can increase active cervical flexion and extension range of motion in patients with mechanical neck pain.

The Immediate Hypoalgesic Effect of Low and High Force Thoracic Mobilizations in Asymptomatic Subjects as Measured by Pain Pressure Thresholds (PPT)

High force thoracic mobilizations cause a significantly greater hypoalgesic response in asymptomatic participants compared to low force mobilizations, with a widespread effect.

Short-Term Effects of Different Rates of Thoracic Mobilization on Pressure Pain Thresholds in Asymptomatic Individuals: A Randomized Crossover Trial

No significant change in pressure pain threshold was observed between 0.5 Hz and 2 Hz of thoracic spine mobilization in asymptomatic individuals.

The Immediately Effects of Thoracic Mobilization by Segment on Pain and Range of Motion in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients

Thoracic mobilization improves pain and range of motion in chronic low-back pain patients, with immediate effects varying by segment.

The Effects of Manual Mobilization on the Mobility of the Thoracic Spine in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

Manual mobilization of the thoracic spine improves mobility, respiratory function, and reduces disease activity and physical function in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

The Effects of Thoracic Manipulation Versus Mobilization for Chronic Neck Pain: a Randomized Controlled Trial Pilot Study

Both single-level thoracic manipulation and mobilization significantly reduce pain ratings and increase cervical range of motion in chronic neck pain patients.

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