Neck Range of Motion Increased with Chiropractic

The results of a recently published study in the November/December Cervical Spine 2001 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics showed that cervical range of motion was significantly improved with chiropractic adjustments. The study was a double-blind randomized controlled trial performed at the outpatient clinic at Phillip Chiropractic Research Centre, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.

The initial study involved 105 subjects who were randomly separated into two groups. One group received chiropractic adjustments while the other group received a “sham”, or fake adjustment. Range of motion testing was performed every few weeks over the course of the 12 week study. Active range of motion was measured with a strap-on head goniometer consisting of an inclinometer dial for measuring lateral flexion and a compass dial for measuring rotation. These motions were chosen because gravity would play less of a role and therefore the results were more accurate.

According to the researchers, in the group that got the real adjustments, “active range of motion in the cervical spine increased significantly.” Their conclusion was, “Spinal manipulation of the cervical spine increases active range of motion.”

As obvious as this may seem, the results are profound for a large portion of the population. Not only does restricted range of motion play a large part in many health problems, but one of the largest areas of concern for the aging population is mobility.