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The Neurobiologic Mechanisms in Manipulative Therapy pp 53–75Cite as

The Clinical Basis for Discussion of Mechanisms of Manipulative Therapy

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Abstract

“There is no scientific basis for manipulative therapy,” has been the most commonly stated and the most damaging criticism levied against practitioners of manipulation (Crelin, 1973; Farfan, 1973). Many noted physicians and scientists, after reviewing the available literature and research, have come to the conclusion that “there is no justification for the use of manipulative therapy” (Nachemson, 1975; Pearce & Moll, 1967; Sham, 1974). On the other hand, practitioners of manipulation feel that their clinical results are indisputable (Gitelman, 1975; Maitland, 1973; Mennell, 1960), and that there is ample experimental evidence to support their theories on how manipulation works (Cyriax, 1975; Homewood, 1963; Janse, Houser & Wells, 1947; Maigne, 1972). One reason for this dichotomy of opinion is the fact that certain basic criteria requisite for the evaluation of the rationale for any treatment have been frequently neglected.

Keywords

  • Back Pain
  • Cervical Spine
  • Nerve Compression
  • Spinal Manipulation
  • Spinal Manipulative Therapy

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, USA

    Scott Haldeman

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  1. Scott Haldeman
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  1. Michigan State University, USA

    Irvin M. Korr

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Haldeman, S. (1978). The Clinical Basis for Discussion of Mechanisms of Manipulative Therapy. In: Korr, I.M. (eds) The Neurobiologic Mechanisms in Manipulative Therapy. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-8902-6_4

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