Proposed effects
The proposed effects of manipulation under anesthesia
therapy include the following:
-
Breaking up scar tissue (adhesions) both in and
around the spinal joints, commonly caused by multiple
injuries or failed back surgery
-
Decreasing chronic muscle spasm
-
Overcoming super sensitivity of injured areas,
making the patient unable to cooperate for effective
treatment
-
Stretching persistent shortened muscles, ligaments
and tendons
- Relieving pain and radiating symptoms from damaged
intervertebral discs. Some disc injuries are serious
enough to require surgery, but these types of injuries
are relatively infrequent.
- Chrisman et al: “A study of the results following
manipulation in lumbar disc syndrome.” Journal
of bone and Joint Surgery 46A, 1964.
- Saal et al: “The natural history of lumbar
disc extrusions treated non-operatively.: Spine, Vol
15, 1990.
- Kohlbeck FJ, Haldeman S, “Medication-assisted
spinal manipulation.” The Spine Journal, Volume
2 (4), 2002.
Anesthesia and Manipulation
Of course, when movement of the spine is extremely and
intolerably painful to the patient, the benefit of being
under anesthesia and unconscious is obvious. In addition,
the anesthesia performs other equally important functions,
such as:
-
Shutting off the muscle spasm cycle to allow spinal
movement
-
Sedating the pain-perceiving nerves that have been
irritated due to the dysfunctional spine
-
Allowing complete muscle relaxation to allow the
doctor to stretch shortened muscle groups and to break
up adhesions caused by scar tissue.
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