Enhancement of In Vitro Interleukin-2 Production in Normal Subjects Following a Single Spinal Manipulative Treatment
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Chiropractic & Osteopathy 2008 (May 28); 16: 5 ~ FULL TEXT
The present study demonstrates that, the in vitro T lymphocyte response to a conventional mitogen (SPA), as measured by IL-2 synthesis, can become enhanced following SMT. Furthermore, within a period of time following the manipulative intervention, this effect may be independent of joint cavitation. Thus the results of this study suggest that, under certain physiological conditions, SMT might influence IL-2-regulated biological responses.
Physiological Regulation Through Manual Therapy
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: State of the Art Reviews
Manual therapy can be divided into two distinct conceptual approaches to treatment: specific adjustments for correction of anatomic issues (structure) and adjustments for physiologic regulation (function). In recent years, the primary emphasis of most practitioners has been on finding structural problems associated with musculoskeletal issues and correcting anatomic findings ("lesions" and "subluxations"). Less emphasized has been the capability for manual therapy to regulate physiology, reestablishing equilibrium and balance among the various systems and processes of the body. Historically, however, the origins of both osteopathy and chiropractic can be traced to positive outcomes in the treatment of systemic dysfunction. A. T. Still, founder of osteopathy, used an "inhibition" technique (lying with his head in a sling) to relieve his own headaches; D. D. Palmer, founder of chiropractic, first treated a patient with a hearing impairment.
The Somantovisceral Reflex: How Important for the "Type O" Condition?
Chiropractic Journal of Australia 2004 (Sep); 34 (3): 97–102
Spinal manipulative therapy can affect the resting status of somatic structures via mechanical and neurological (somato-somatic reflex) mechanisms, and this change can cause a change to the afferent arm of the somato-visceral reflex. It is likely that supraspinal influences play a major role in this effect, however the exact nature of this effect has not been demonstrated with respect to manipulation of the spine. Much research is required to establish a causative relationship between the treatment of somatic structures of the spine and normalisation of pathological visceral tissues via somatovisceral or supraspinal reflexes.
The Reflex Effects of Subluxation: The Autonomic Nervous System
J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2000 (Feb); 23 (2): 104–106
There is no shortage of theories to explain the role of subluxation in disease and the effect of adjustment in relieving symptoms. The autonomic nervous system has often been invoked in constructing mechanisms to account for the effects of spinal dysfunction; recent investigations justify the attention that has been focused on this component of the nervous system. Recent neuroscience research supports a neurophysiologie rationale for the concept that aberrant stimulation of spinal or paraspinal structures may lead to segmentally organized reflex responses of the autonomic nervous system, which in turn may alter visceral function.
Somatic Dysfunction and the Phenomenon of Visceral Disease Simulation: A Probable Explanation for the Apparent Effectiveness of Somatic Therapy in Patients Presumed to be Suffering from True Visceral Disease
J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1995; 18 (6): 379–397
The proper differential diagnosis of somatic vs. visceral dysfunction represents a challenge for both the medical and chiropractic physician. The afferent convergence mechanisms, which can create signs and symptoms that are virtually indistinguishable with respect to their somatic vs. visceral etiologies, need to be appreciated by all portal-of-entry health care providers, to insure timely referral of patients to the health specialist appropriate to their condition. Furthermore, it is not unreasonable that this somatic visceral-disease mimicry could very well account for the "cures" of presumed organ disease that have been observed over the years in response to various somatic therapies (e.g., spinal manipulation, acupuncture, Rolfing, Qi Gong, etc.) and may represent a common phenomenon that has led to "holistic" health care claims on the part of such clinical disciplines.
The Reflex Effects of Spinal Somatic Nerve Stimulation on Visceral Function
J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1992 (Jan); 15 (1): 57–61
This paper studies somatovisceral reflex responses in the cardiovascular organ, gastrointestinal tract, urinary bladder and adrenal medulla in anesthetized animals after eliminating emotional factors following somatic sensory stimulations. Various somatic sensory stimulations, including cutaneous, muscle and articular sensory stimulations, can produce differing autonomic reflex responses, depending on which visceral organs and somatic afferents are stimulated. Some responses have dominant sympathetic efferent involvement, whereas others have dominant parasympathetic efferent involvement. Some responses have propriospinal and segmental characteristics, while others have supraspinal and generalized characteristics in their reflex nature. These somatovisceral reflex responses may be functioning during spinal manipulative therapy in conscious humans.
Vertebral Malformations and Associated Somaticovisceral Abnormalities
Clin Radiol 1976 (Jul); 27 (3): 341–353
Numerous references to spine abnormalities and associated somatic and/or visceral abnormalities are reported. An implication is present in each that the association is more than just coincidental and some cause and effect relationship might exist. A series of cases was collected in which congenital spine abnormalities were noted on roentgenograms from patients evaluated for various reasons. Other roentgenograms of these patients and their medical records were reviewed in an attempt to find associated congenital abnormalities. Another group of patients with known congenital visceral malformations had their roentgenograms reviewed to see if the had spinal variations. It was found that patients with congenital vertebral malformations had an extremely high rate of associated visceral abnormalities, especially of the heart and kidneys. Other relationships between the spine and viscera include congenital lesions of the gastrointestinal and respiratory system and other parts of the renal system. This study also suggests the possible relationship between vesicoureteral reflux and spina bifida occulta.
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