Abstract
Purpose: This study serves to determine the effectiveness of either chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy
to the thoracic spine or stretch and strengthening exercises (stretching the pectoralis major muscle and
strengthening the rhomboid, middle and inferior trapezius muscles) versus the combined treatment of
chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy to the thoracic spine in conjunction with stretch and strengthening
exercises.
Method: A randomised study design with thirty female participants between the ages of twenty and thirty
nine was selected. Group 1 (n= 10) received chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy to the thoracic spine.
Group 2 (n = 10) received chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy to the thoracic spine as well as stretch
and strengthening exercises i.e. stretching the pectoralis major muscles and strengthening the rhomboid,
middle and inferior trapezius muscles. Group 3 (n = 10) received stretch and strengthening exercises. The
stretch and strengthening exercises were performed in the consultation rooms to ensure that the participants
were complying with the treatment and doing the exercises properly. The study consisted of seven
consultations for group 1 (they received treatment once a week for six weeks) and for groups 2 and 3 there
were nineteen consultations (they received three treatments a week for six weeks). Objective data was
recorded at the beginning of the first, fourth and seventh consultations for group 1, and the first, tenth and
nineteenth consultations for groups 2 and 3. On the seventh consultation (for group 1) and nineteenth
consultation for groups 2 and 3, only data collection was done. Objective data were obtained by using the
Flexicurve® Ruler measurements for the angle of kyphosis. Visual analysis was done by taking lateral
(sagittal) view photographs at the beginning of the initial and final consultations...