Re the lumbar spine and joint play

Someone asked for help on these, hence this repost:

Coupling Behavior of the Lumbar Spine: A Literature Review
Chad Cook, PhD, PT, MBA, OCS, COMT

Abstract: Coupling behavior has been described as fundamental to the theory of lumbar biomechanics. Different manual therapy approaches use discrepant coupling biomechanical models. Despite these inconsistencies, coupling models have been frequently used in the management of low back pain. The purpose of this paper is to investigate evidence for the use of coupling biomechanical modeling in manual therapy assessment and treatment. The findings of this paper suggest that use of a single dogmatic lumbar spinal coupling approach utilizing a side-bend initiation may not be appropriate and could lead to unreliable findings. The use of rotation initiation needs further consideration. Coupling behavior may be more consistent if rotation is initiated first, however there is insufficient evidence to substantiate this view.

The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy Vol. 11 No. 3 (2003), 137 - 145

Four Cardinal Principles of Joint Mobilization and Joint Play Assessment
John R. Stevenson, PhD, PT, CEA, Dan W. Vaughn, PT, MOMT

Abstract: The teaching and learning of fundamental principles that guide valid and effective assessment and intervention techniques in joint mobilization is a basic foundation to those health professions that make use of manual therapy. Such principles help establish the specificity of manual therapy techniques, the foremost quality of 'best practice.' However, authors of few textbooks or reference books devote space to establishing such fundamental principles for learners and practitioners of manual therapy techniques. The purpose of this paper is to present four cardinal principles that have impressed us, over our years as educators and clinicians, as the foundation for the teaching and practice of sound manual therapy techniques for either joint play assessment or joint mobilization. These principles are utilized in practice from entry-level to master clinicians, they can guide educators as to how to introduce and monitor effective manual therapy skills among students and colleagues, and they can also serve as a source of refreshment for experienced clinicians who desire continuing education for maintenance of their hands-on skills in manual therapy interventions and assessment.

The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy Vol. 11 No. 3 (2003), 146 - 152

Management of a Patient with Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: A Correlation of Hip Range of Motion Asymmetry with Sitting and Standing Postural Habits
Phillip H. Warren, PT, DPT, OCS, MTC

Abstract: The purpose of this case report is to describe the clinical management of a patient with sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) and a concomitant asymmetrical hip-joint rotation range of motion. The patient was a 53-year-old male whose chief complaint was right low back pain (LBP) that interfered with work and leisure activities. Physical therapy consisted of manual therapy, stretching, and postural education to address SIJ and hip motion abnormalities. At the conclusion of 6 visits, the hip-joint rotation range of motion was more symmetrical. The patient reported self-correction of unilateral standing and sitting postures. He returned to full-time work and to playing golf, and he rated pain at 0-1/10. This patient's asymmetrical hip-joint rotation range of motion may have been associated with SIJD, either as a result of trauma or subsequent habitual postural adjustments. Clinician awareness of the possible relationship between SIJD and asymmetrical hip joint rotation range of motion is recommended.

The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy Vol. 11 No. 3 (2003), 153 - 159

Effects of a manual therapy technique in experimental lateral epicondylalgia

Slater, Helen and Arendt-Nielsen, Lars and Wright, Antony and Graven-Nielsen, Thomas (2005) Effects of a manual therapy technique in experimental lateral epicondylalgia , Manual Therapy.


Abstract

In patients with lateral epicondylalgia, mobilization-with-movement (MWM) is used as an intervention aimed at achieving analgesia and enhancing grip force, although the mechanisms underlying these effects are unclear. The present study investigated the acute sensory and motor effects of an MWM intervention in healthy controls with experimentally induced lateral epicondylalgia. Twenty-four subjects were randomly allocated to either a MWM or a placebo group (n 1⁄4 12). In both groups, to generate the model of lateral epicondylalgia, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) was provoked in one arm 24 h prior (Day 0) to hypertonic salineinduced pain in the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle (Day 1). Either a MWM or placebo intervention was applied during the saline-induced pain period. Saline-induced pain intensity (visual analogue scale: VAS), pain distribution and pain quality were assessed quantitatively. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were recorded at the common extensor origin and the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle. Maximal measures of grip and wrist extension force were recorded. In both groups (pooled data), DOMS was efficiently induced as demonstrated by a significant decrease in pre-exercise to pre-injection PPT at the common extensor origin (45719%) and at the extensor carpi radialis brevis (61723%; Po0:05), and a significant decrease in maximal grip force (2576%) and maximal wrist extension force (40712%; Po0:001). Moreover, both groups experienced a significant increase in muscle soreness (3.970.2; Po0:0001) at Day 1 compared to pre-exercise. During saline-induced pain and in response to intervention, there were no significant between-group differences in VAS profiles, pain distributions, induced deep tissue hyperalgesia or force attenuation. These data suggest that the lateral glide-MWM does not activate mechanisms associated with analgesia or force augmentation in subjects with experimentally induced features simulating lateral epicondylalgia.