Special Issue on Spinal Manipulation

Research into chiropractic and why it works is essential for both doctors and patients. Doctors use the research to inform our clinical decision making, and patients need the research as reassurance that chiropractic is safe and effective. Fortunately, there are now a wide variety of sources for high-quality, peer-reviewed research on chiropractic: there are many journals which specialize in chiropractic research, and many medical journals are publishing studies and articles regarding the use of chiropractic for a range of patients and conditions.

I was excited to note that the Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology (JEK) has published the most recent full issue of their journal solely on the topic of "Spinal Manipulation." Often, researchers will use the term spinal manipulation loosely, so it sometimes refers to a specific chiropractic adjustment, but sometimes it may refer to a non-specific maneuver that may or may not produce pops or crackles in the spine. After all, a chiropractic adjustment is often different in both intention and execution than an osteopathic spinal manipulation. That being said, it is wonderful to see spinal manipulation in all its forms being properly considered in the health care field.

From an article in Chiropractic Economics highlighting this event:

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Published by Elsevier, the JEK is the primary source for outstanding original articles on the study of muscle contraction and human motion through combined mechanical and electrical detection techniques. As the official publication of The International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology, the journal is dedicated to publishing the best work in all areas of electromyography and kinesiology, including: control of movement, muscle fatigue, muscle and nerve properties, joint biomechanics, electrical stimulation, motion analysis, sports and  exercise, measures of human performance, and rehabilitation.

At the invitation of the journal Editor-in-Chief Moshe Solomonow,  PhD, MD, (Hon), three prominent individuals in the forefront of spinal manipulation research were selected to serve as guest editors for the Special Issue. Chris Colloca, DC; Joel Pickar, DC, PhD; and Malik Slosberg, DC, MSc, were invited to serve as guest editors and compile related papers from the worldwide spinal manipulation field for the issue. [snip] Together, they formulated an outline for paper submissions based upon general topics including the basis for spinal manipulation; epidemiology; clinical research; kinesiological research, and neurophysiological research.

Through their our own personal contacts within the research community and keyword searches of the Pubmed database using “spinal manipulation” together with relevant categorical terms researchers and research groups who had published on these topics were identified. Original and review paper submissions from 31 individuals representing 25 institutions who were identified as lead researchers or department heads throughout the world and who were considered authorities within a given topic on spinal manipulation.

Consistent with the professional diversity of spinal manipulation research, scientists with backgrounds in chiropractic, osteopathy, physical therapy, manipulative physiotherapy, and rehabilitative medicine were sought. In addition to these professional associations, submissions were sought from individuals within the disciplines of anatomy, biomechanics, biomedical  sciences, education, epidemiology,  engineering, kinesiology, medicine, neurology, and public health.