Immediate and short-term effects of thoracic spine manipulation in patients with cervical radiculopathy: A randomized controlled trial.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2019 May;49(5):299-309. Young IA, Pozzi F, Dunning J, Linkonis R, Michener LA.

Background: Thoracic spine thrust manipulation has been shown to improve patient-rated outcomes for individuals with neck pain. However, there is limited evidence for effectiveness in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

Purpose: To compare the immediate and short-term effects of thoracic manipulation to those of a sham thoracic manipulation in patients with cervical radiculopathy (CRAD).

Conclusion: One session of thoracic manipulation may result in improvements in pain disability, CROM and deep neck flexor endurance in patients with CRAD. Patients treated with manipulation are more likely to report at least moderate change in their neck and upper extremity symptoms up to 48-72 hours following treatment.

See abstract.