Effects of a Manual Medicine Treatment Procedures on Nitric Oxide Release in 23 Healthy Adults

Abstract 

Objective

The objective of this study was to measure if a manual treatment would alter the levels of exhaled nitric oxide levels in healthy adults.

Methods

A study was performed using 23 healthy adults (age, 18-30 years). Nitric oxide (NO) was measured amperometrically before and after a manual treatment. The treatment used was a cranial-thoracic trapezius stretch.

Results

In healthy adults, manual manipulation was associated with changes in NO levels in exhaled breath. The level of NO increased from 13.3 ± 2.09 (SD) to 15.0 ± 2.95 (SD) ppb (P = .001, based upon the paired t tests of the subjects). The median level of NO before manual manipulation was 13.0 ppb (ranging from 8 to 17ppb); after manual manipulation, it was 16.0 ppb (ranging from 6 to 18 ppb).

Conclusion

The cranial-thoracic trapezius stretch was associated with an increase in exhaled NO, compared to baseline levels for the subjects in this study.

Key Indexing Terms: Nitric Oxide, Muscle Relaxation, Manual Therapy, Chiropractic