Chiropractic adjustments may trigger changes in paraspinal skin temperature, according to an investigation of 20 individuals with acute low-back pain. 

Ten of the participants received chiropractic adjustments. Ten underwent a sham procedure. Specifically, “in the treatment group, a traditional chiropractic manipulation (lumbar roll technique with a pisiform contact on the ipsilateral mamillary of L5) was delivered, whereas with the sham group, the same technique was used, but no thrust was applied.”

Infrared cameras were used to measure paraspinal skin temperature bilaterally at the L5 level. These measurements were taken 2 minutes before the intervention. They were repeated immediately following the intervention, and again 1, 3, 5 and 10 minutes later. 

Among experimental subjects, skin temperature on the side of the spine receiving the adjustment warmed up by 0.2°F immediately following the adjustment. After 3 minutes, “the treatment side warmed by approximately 0.6°F, whereas the contralateral side (nontreatment side) cooled.” On the other hand, there were no significant changes in skin temperature to either side in control subjects. 

“The effects of a lumbar spine manipulation appear noticeable by changes in paraspinal CT measurements at the level of L5,” conclude the study’s authors. “However, the meaning and mechanisms of CT modifications at L5 are still being investigated.”

JMPT – May 2010;33:308-314.
www.jmptonline.org