Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 28, Issue 6 , Pages 429-442 , July 2005

High-Velocity Low-Amplitude Spinal Manipulation for Symptomatic Lumbar Disk Disease: A Systematic Review of the Literature

  • Anthony J. Lisi, DC

      Affiliations

    • Staff Chiropractor, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Conn (since October 2004); Associate Professor, University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic, Bridgeport, Conn; Associate Faculty, Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, Davenport, Iowa
    • Corresponding Author InformationSubmit requests for reprints to: Anthony J. Lisi, DC, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516
  • ,
  • Erica J. Holmes, DC

      Affiliations

    • Private practice of chiropractic, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
  • ,
  • Carlo Ammendolia, DC

      Affiliations

    • Research Associate, Graduate Education and Research, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, Canada; PhD Student, Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Received 26 July 2004

References 

  1. Hurwitz EL, Coulter ID, Adams AH, Genovese BJ, Shekelle PG. Use of chiropractic services from 1985 through 1991 in the United States and Canada. Am J Pub Health. 1998;88:771–776
  2. Coulter ID, Hurwitx EL, Adams AH, Genovese BJ, Shekelle PG. Patients using chiropractors in North America: who are they, and why are they in chiropractic care?. Spine. 2002;27:291–298
  3. Wolsko PM, Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Kessler R, Phillips RS. Patterns and perceptions of care for treatment of back and neck pain: results of a national survey. Spine. 2003;28:292–298
  4. Christensen MG, Kerkhoff D, Kollasch MW. In: Job analysis of chiropractic 2000. Greeley (Colo): National Board of Chiropractic Examiners; 2000;p. 129
  5. Meeker WC, Haldeman S. Chiropractic: a profession at the crossroads of mainstream and alternative medicine. Ann Intern Med. 2002;136:216–227
  6. Shekelle PG, Adams AH, Chassin MR, Hurwitz EL, Brook RH. Spinal manipulation for low back pain. Ann Intern Med. 1992;117:590–598
  7. Nachemson A, Boden SD, McLain RF. Lumbar disc disease with discogenic pain: what surgical treatment is most effective?. Spine. 1996;21:1835–1836
  8. Saal JS. General principles of diagnostic testing as related to painful lumbar spine disorders: a critical appraisal of current diagnostic techniques. Spine. 2002;27:2538–2545
  9. Postacchini F. Lumbar disc herniation: a new equilibrium is needed between nonoperative and operative treatment. Spine. 2001;26:601
  10. Rebain R, Baxter GD, McDonough S. A systematic review of the passive straight leg raising test as a diagnostic aid for low back pain (1989 to 2000). Spine. 2002;27:E388–E395
  11. Boden SD, Davis DO, Dina TS, Patronas NJ, Wiesel SW. Abnormal magnetic-resonance scans of the lumbar spine in asymptomatic subjects. A prospective investigation. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1990;72:403–408
  12. Buirski G, Silberstein M. The symptomatic lumbar disc in patients with low-back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging appearances in both a symptomatic and control population. Spine. 1993;18:1808–1811
  13. Jensen MC, Brant-Zawadzki MN, Obuchowski N, Modic MT, Malkasian D, Ross JS. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine in people without back pain. N Engl J Med. 1994;331:69–73
  14. Deyo RA. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine. Terrific test or tar baby?. N Engl J Med. 1994;331:115–116
  15. Boos N, Rieder R, Schade V, Spratt K, Semmer N, Aebi M. Volvo Award in Clinical Sciences. The diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging, work perception and psychosocial factors in identifying symptomatic disc herniations. Spine. 1995;20:2613–2625
  16. Wang JC, Lin E, Brodke DS, Youssef JA. Epidural injections for the treatment of symptomatic lumbar herniated discs. J Spinal Disord Tech. 2002;15:269–272
  17. Wetzel FT, McNally TA, Phillips FM. Intradiscal electrothermal therapy used to manage chronic discogenic low back pain: new directions and interventions. Spine. 2002;27:2621–2626
  18. Baldwin NG. Lumbar disc disease: the natural history. Neurosurg Focus. 2002;13:e1
  19. Cyriax J. Refresher course for general practitioners: the treatment of lumbar disk lesions. BMJ. 1950;2:1434–1438
  20. Cassidy JD, Thiel HW, Kirkaldy-Willis WH. Side posture manipulation for lumbar intervertebral disk herniation. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1993;16:96–103
  21. Gallinaro P, Cartesegna M. Three cases of lumbar disc rupture and one of cauda equina associated with spinal manipulation (chiropraxis). Lancet. 1983;1:411
  22. Markowitz HD, Dolce DT. Cauda equina syndrome due to sequestrated recurrent disk herniation after chiropractic manipulation. Orthopedics. 1997;20:652–653
  23. Saal JA. Natural history and nonoperative treatment of lumbar disc herniation. Spine. 1996;21:2S–9S
  24. Haldeman S, Rubinstein SM. Cauda equina syndrome in patients undergoing manipulation of the lumbar spine. Spine. 1992;17:1469–1473
  25. Jagbandhansingh MP. Most common causes of chiropractic malpractice lawsuits. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1997;20:60–64
  26. National Chiropractic Mutual Insurance Company . In: Claims data. Des Moines (Iowa): NCMIC Group; 2003;p. 1–2
  27. Pringle M, Tyreman S. Study of 500 patients attending an osteopathic practice. Br J Gen Pract. 1993;43:15–18
  28. Herniated disc . North American Spine Society phase III clinical guidelines for multidisciplinary spine care specialists. National guidelines clearing house number 002029. LaGrange (Ill): North American Spine Society; 2000;Available from: www.ngc.gov/summary/summary/aspx?doc_id=2803
  29. Bigos S, Bowyer O, Braen G, Brown K, Deyo R, Haldeman S, et al. Acute low back problems in adults. Clinical practice guideline no. 14. AHCPR publication no. 95-0642. Rockville (Md): Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 1994;
  30. Cooperstein R, Perle SM, Gatterman MI, Lantz C, Schneider MJ. Chiropractic technique procedures for specific low back conditions: characterizing the literature. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2001;24:407–424
  31. Gatterman MI, Cooperstein R, Lantz C, Perle SM, Schneider MJ. Rating specific chiropractic technique procedures for common low back conditions. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2001;24:449–456
  32. Harris RP, Helfand M, Woolf SH, Lohr KN, Mulrow CD, Teutsch SM, et al. Current methods of the U.S. preventive services task force: a review of the process. Am J Prev Med. 2001;20:21–35
  33. Mathews J, Yates D. Reduction of lumbar disc prolapse by manipulation. BMJ. 1969;3:696–697
  34. Quon JA, Cassidy JD, O'Connor SM, Kirkaldy-Willis WH. Lumbar intervertebral disc herniation: treatment by rotational manipulation. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1989;12:220–227
  35. BenEliyahu DJ. Infrared thermographic assessment of chiropractic treatment in patients with lumbar disc herniations: an observational study. Chiropr Tech. 1991;3:126–133
  36. Hubka MJ, Taylor JA, Schultz GD. Lumbar intervertebral disc herniation: chiropractic management using flexion, extension, and rotational manipulative therapy. Chiropr Tech. 1991;3:5–12
  37. Hession EF, Donald GD. Treatment of multiple lumbar disc herniations in an adolescent athlete using flexion distraction and rotational manipulation. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1993;16:185–192
  38. Triano JJ, Vanharanta H, McGregor M. Manipulation for discogenic pain. In: Conference proceedings of the chiropractic centennial foundation; 1995 July 6-8; Washington, DC. Davenport (Iowa): Chiropractic Centennial Foundation; 1995;p. 293–294
  39. Stern PJ, Cote P, Cassidy JD. A series of consecutive cases of low back pain with radiating leg pain treated by chiropractors. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1995;18:335–342
  40. BenEliyahu DJ. Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical follow-up: study of 27 patients receiving chiropractic care for cervical and lumbar disc herniations. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1996;19:597–606
  41. Zhao P, Feng TY. The biomechanical significance of herniated lumbar intervertebral disk: a clinical comparison analysis of 22 multiple and 39 single segments in patients with lumbar intervertebral disk herniation. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1996;19:391–397
  42. King L, Mior SA, Devonshire-Zielonka K. Adolescent lumbar disc herniation: a case report. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 1996;40:15–18
  43. Floman Y, Liram N, Gilai AN. Spinal manipulation results in immediate H-reflex changes in patients with unilateral disc herniation. Eur Spine J. 1997;6:398–401
  44. Bergmann TF, Jongeward BV. Manipulative therapy in lower back pain with leg pain and neurologic deficit. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1998;21:288–294
  45. Lorenzetti DP. Rehabilitation of a lumbar disc injury with concomitant spondylolisthesis and scoliosis: a case report. J Sports Chiropr Rehabil. 1999;13:107–110
  46. Crawford CM, Hannan RF. Management of acute lumbar disk herniation initially presenting as mechanical low back pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1999;22:235–244
  47. Burton AK, Tillotson KM, Cleary J. Single-blind randomised controlled trial of chemonucleolysis and manipulation in the treatment of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation. Eur Spine J. 2000;9:202–207
  48. Lisi AJ. The centralization phenomenon in chiropractic spinal manipulation of discogenic low back pain and sciatica. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2001;24:596–602
  49. Wilson JN, Ilfeld FW. Manipulation of the herniated intervertebral disc. Am J Surg. 1952;173–175
  50. Mensor MC. Non-operative treatment, including manipulation, for lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome. J Bone Joint Surg. 1955;37-A:925–936
  51. Chrisman OD, Mittnacht A, Snook GA. A study of the results following rotary manipulation in the lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome. J Bone Joint Surg. 1964;46-A:517–524
  52. Nwuga VCB. Relative therapeutic efficacy of vertebral manipulation and conventional treatment in back pain management. Am J Phys Med. 1982;61:273–278
  53. Yefu L, Jixiang F, Zuliang L, Zhenqian L. Traction and manipulative reduction for the treatment of protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc: an analysis of 1,455 cases. J Tradit Chin Med. 1986;6:31–33
  54. Kuo PP, Loh Z. Treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusions by manipulation. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1987;215:47–55
  55. Richard J. Disk rupture with cauda equina syndrome after chiropractic adjustment. N Y State J Med. 1967;67:2496–2498
  56. Hooper J. Low back pain and manipulation. Paraparesis after treatment of low back pain by physical methods. Med J Aust. 1973;1:549–551
  57. Malmivaara A, Pohjola R. Cauda equina syndrome caused by chiropraxis on a patient previously free of lumbar spine symptoms. Lancet. 1982;2:986–987
  58. Dan NG, Saccasan PA. Serious complications of lumbar spinal manipulation. Med J Aust. 1983;2:672–673
  59. Lehmann OJ, Mendoza ND, Bradford R. Beware the prolapsed disc. Br J Hosp Med. 1991;46:52
  60. Balblanc JC, Pretot C, Ziegler F. Vascular complication involving the conus medullaris or cauda equina after vertebral manipulation for an L4-L5 disk herniation. Rev Rhum Engl Ed. 1998;65:279–282
  61. Boos N, Semmer N, Elfering A, Schade V, Gal I, Zanetti M, et al. Natural history of individuals with asymptomatic disc abnormalities in magnetic resonance imaging: predictors of low back pain–related medical consultation and work incapacity. Spine. 2000;25:1484–1492
  62. Southern EP, Fye MA, Panjabi MM, Patel TC, Cholewicki J. Disc degeneration: a human cadaveric study correlating magnetic resonance imaging and quantitative discomanometry. Spine. 2000;25:2171–2175
  63. Luoma K, Riihimaki H, Luukkonen R, Raininko R, Viikari-Juntura E, Lamminen A. Low back pain in relation to lumbar disc degeneration. Spine. 2000;25:487–492
  64. Karppinen J, Malmivaara A, Tervonen O, Paakko E, Kurunlahti M, Syrjala P, et al. Severity of symptoms and signs in relation to magnetic resonance imaging findings among sciatic patients. Spine. 2001;26:E149–E154
  65. Beattie PF, Meyers SP, Stratford P, Millard RW, Hollenberg GM. Associations between patient report of symptoms and anatomic impairment visible on lumbar magnetic resonance imaging. Spine. 2000;25:819–828
  66. Vucetic N, de Bri E, Svensson O. Clinical history in lumbar disc herniation. A prospective study in 160 patients. Acta Orthop Scand. 1997;68:116–120
  67. Vucetic N, Astrand P, Güntner P, Svensson O. Diagnosis and prognosis in lumbar disc herniation. Clin Orthop. 1999;361:116
  68. Vroomen PC, de Krom MC, Knottnerus JA. Diagnostic value of history and physical examination in patients suspected of sciatica due to disc herniation: a systematic review. J Neurol. 1999;246:899–906
  69. Vroomen PC, de Krom MC, Wilmink JT, Kester AD, Knottnerus JA. Diagnostic value of history and physical examination in patients suspected of lumbosacral nerve root compression. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2002;72:630–634
  70. Vucetic N, Svensson O. Physical signs in lumbar disc hernia. Clin Orthop. 1996;333:192–201
  71. Supik LF, Broom MJ. Sciatic tension signs and lumbar disc herniation. Spine. 1994;19:1066–1069
  72. Jonsson B, Stromqvist B. Clinical appearance of contained and noncontained lumbar disc herniation. J Spinal Disord. 1996;9:32–38
  73. Anderson SR, Flanagan B. Discography. Curr Rev Pain. 2000;4:345–352
  74. Guyer RD, Ohnmeiss DD. Lumbar discography. Spine J. 2003;3:11S–27S
  75. Donelson R, Aprill C, Medcalf R, Grant W. A prospective study of centralization of lumbar and referred pain: a predictor of symptomatic discs and annular competence. Spine. 1997;22:1115–1122
  76. Delaney P, Hubka M. The diagnostic utility of McKenzie clinical assessment for lower back pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1999;22:628–630
  77. Yrjama M, Tervonen O, Vanharanta H. Ultrasonic imaging of lumbar discs combined with vibration pain provocation compared with discography in the diagnosis of internal annular fissures of the lumbar spine. Spine. 1996;21:571–575
  78. Yrjama M, Tervonen O, Kurunlahti M, Vanharanta H. Bony vibration stimulation test combined with magnetic resonance imaging. Can discography be replaced?. Spine. 1997;22:808–813
  79. Vanharanta H, Ohnmeiss DD, Aprill CN. Vibration pain provocation can improve the specificity of MRI in the diagnosis of symptomatic lumbar disc rupture. Clin J Pain. 1998;14:239–247
  80. In:  Haldeman S,  Chapman-Smith D,  Peterson D editor. Guidelines for chiropractic quality assurance and practice parameters. Gaithersburg (Md): Aspen Publishers; 1993;p. 151–152
  81. Toft E. Mechanical and electromyographic stretch responses in spastic and healthy subjects. Acta Neurol Scand Suppl. 1995;163:1–24
  82. Adamova B, Vohanka S, Dusek L. Differential diagnostics in patients with mild lumbar spinal stenosis: the contributions and limits of various tests. Eur Spine J. 2003;12:190–196
  83. Yukawa Y, Kato F, Matsubara Y, Kajino G, Nakamura S, Nitta H. Serial magnetic resonance imaging follow-up study of lumbar disc herniation conservatively treated for average 30 months: relation between reduction of herniation and degeneration of disc. J Spinal Disord. 1996;9:251–256
  84. Benoist M. The natural history of lumbar disc herniation and radiculopathy. Joint Bone Spine. 2002;69:155–160
  85. Saal JS, Franson RC, Dobrow R, Saal JA, White AH, Goldthwaite N. High levels of inflammatory phospholipase A2 activity in lumbar disc herniations. Spine. 1990;15:674–678
  86. Matsubara Y, Kato F, Mimatsu K, Kajino G, Nakamura S, Nitta H. Serial changes on MRI in lumbar disc herniations treated conservatively. Neuroradiology. 1995;37:378–383
  87. Saal JA, Saal JS, Herzog RJ. The natural history of lumbar intervertebral disc extrusions treated nonoperatively. Spine. 1990;15:683–686
  88. Komori H, Shinomiya K, Nakai O, Yamaura I, Takeda S, Furuya K. The natural history of herniated nucleus pulposus with radiculopathy. Spine. 1996;21:225–229
  89. Delauche-Cavallier MC, Budet C, Laredo JD, Debie B, Wybier M, Dorfmann H, et al. Lumbar disc herniation. Computed tomography scan changes after conservative treatment of nerve root compression. Spine. 1992;17:927–933
  90. Bush K, Cowan N, Katz DE, Gishen P. The natural history of sciatica associated with disc pathology. A prospective study with clinical and independent radiologic follow-up. Spine. 1992;17:1205–1212
  91. Fraser RD, Sandhu A, Gogan WJ. Magnetic resonance imaging findings 10 years after treatment for lumbar disc herniation. Spine. 1995;20:710–714
  92. Buttermann GR. Lumbar disc herniation regression after successful epidural steroid injection. J Spinal Disord Tech. 2002;15:469–476
  93. Whittingham W, Nilsson N. Active range of motion in the cervical spine increases after spinal manipulation. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2001;24:552–555
  94. Nilsson N, Christensen HW, Hartvigsen J. Lasting changes in passive range of motion after spinal manipulation: a randomized, blind, controlled trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1996;19:165–168
  95. Cassidy J, Lopes AA, Yong-Hing K. The immediate effect of manipulation versus mobilization on pain and range of motion in the cervical spine: a randomized controlled trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1992;15:570–575
  96. Vernon H, Aker P, Burns S, Vijakaanen S, Short L. Pressure pain threshold evaluation of the effect of spinal manipulation in the treatment of chronic neck pain: a pilot study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1990;13:13–16
  97. Vincenzino B, Collins D, Benson H, Wright A. An investigation of the interrelationship between manipulative therapy-induced hypoalgesia and sympathoexcitation. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1998;21:448–453
  98. Vernon H. Qualitative review of studies of manipulation-induced hypoalgesia. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2000;23:134–138
  99. Herzog W, Scheele D, Conway PJ. Electromyographic responses of back and limb muscles associated with spinal manipulative therapy. Spine. 1999;24:146–152
  100. Herzog W, Conway PJ, Zhang YT, Gal J, Guimaraes AC. Reflex responses associated with manipulative treatments on the thoracic spine: a pilot study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1995;18:233–236
  101. Dishman JD, Bulbulian R. Spinal reflex attenuation associated with spinal manipulation. Spine. 2000;25:2519–2525
  102. Dishman JD, Bulbulian R. Comparison of effects of spinal manipulation and massage on motoneuron excitability. Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol. 2001;41:97–106
  103. Dishman JD, Ball KA, Burke J. Central motor excitability changes after spinal manipulation: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2002;25:1–9
  104. Suter E, McMorland G, Herzog W, Bray R. Conservative lower back treatment reduces inhibition in knee-extensor muscles: a randomized controlled trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2000;23:76–80
  105. Lehman GJ, McGill SM. The influence of a chiropractic manipulation on lumbar kinematics and electromyography during simple and complex tasks: a case study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1999;22:576–581
  106. Lehman GJ, McGill SM. Spinal manipulation causes variable spine kinematic and trunk muscle electromyographic responses. Clin Biomech. 2001;16:293–299
  107. Cramer GD, Tuck NR, Knudsen JT, Fonda SD, Schliesser JS, Fournier JT. Effects of side-posture positioning and side-posture adjusting on the lumbar zygapophysial joints as evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging: a before and after study with randomization. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2000;23:380–394
  108. Maigne JY, Guillon F. Highlighting of intervertebral movements and variations of intradiskal pressure during lumbar spine manipulation: a feasibility study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2000;23:531–535
  109. van Deursen DL, Snijders CJ, van Dieen JH, Kingma I, van Deursen LL. The effect of passive vertebral rotation on pressure in the nucleus pulposus. J Biomech. 2001;34:405–408
  110. van Deursen DL, Snijders CJ, Kingma I, van Dieen JH. In vitro torsion-induced stress distribution changes in porcine intervertebral discs. Spine. 2001;26:2582–2586

 Sources of support: No external funding was received for this study.

PII: S0161-4754(05)00174-0

doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2005.06.013

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 28, Issue 6 , Pages 429-442 , July 2005