Abstract
This unblinded, non-randomised pilot study was conducted in order to determine
if diversified chiropractic manipulation and/or sacro occipital technic adjustments
of the sacroiliac (SI) joint could increase the short-term strength of the
gastrocnemius muscle.
Ninety asymptomatic male patients between the ages of 20 and 30 years
participated in the investigation. These patients were recruited by the use of
posters that were placed in strategic areas around the Technikon Witwatersrand
campus. The patients were randomly placed into one of three groups of thirty.
Group FA (force adjustment) received force, side-lying, diversified sacroiliac
adjustments to the sacroiliac joint. Group NA (non-force adjustment) received
non-force sacro occipital technic (SOT) adjustments to the same area by means
of SOT blocking technique. The third group. Group C (control) received detuned
ultrasound over the SI joint. Each patient received only one treatment.
The inclusion criteria required that the patient had to be male, fall inside the
above age range, and presented with asymptomatic sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
This was determined either by diversified chiropractic motion palpation or SOT
category analysis. Only category one patients were used in this study.
The objective data was collected using an isometric dynamometer. The
gastrocnemius muscle strength was measured with the dynamometer before
and after the treatment.
The objective results indicated that there was a statistically significant increase
in gastrocnemius muscle strength in both of the experimental groups.
In conclusion, it has been shown that both force and non-force adjustments
positively effect active muscle strength. In this case it was shown that these
types of adjustments to the SI joint caused an increase in active gastrocnemius
muscle strength. It is suspected that the inhibition of the motor neuron, via the
capsular stretch reflex, plays a major role in the effect seen in this study. This
gives further information about the underlying mechanisms of the chiropractic
adjustments and may support the role of non-force techniques in treating
patients.
Dr. Chris Yelverton
Dr. Malany Moodley