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Neurophysiologic effects of the spinal adjustment
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Explain why spinal manipulation plays an important role in pain and inflammatory disorders
Changes in biochemical markers such as substance-P, neurotensin, interleukins and cortisol which all help to modulate pain and inflammation
Spinal manipulation increases substance-P, neurotensin, oxytocin, altering these various biochemical markers
Explain the injury mechanism, and how the adjustment can modulate this.
Person stubs toe→ peripheral sensitisation
Cell damage occurs, leading to an ‘inflammatory soup’ of bradykinin prostaglandins and serotonin
Message travels along peripheral nerve to dorsal horn for modulation
Message then travels up the spinal cord, where pain is perceived
Adjustment activates descending pathway from the brainstem, which in turn activates neurotransmitters that have an inhibitory effect at the dorsal horn
This is known as a supraspinal mediated mechanism

What are the two types of summation?
Spatial summation and temporal summation
Describe spatial summation
Simultaneous stimulation by several presynaptic neurons
EPSPs spread from several synapses to axon hillock
Postsynaptic neuron fires

Describe temporal summation
High frequency stimulation by one presynaptic neuron
EPSPs spread from one synapse to axon hillock
Post synaptic neuron fires
In this process, only one presynaptic neuron is triggered repeatedly over a period of time
If the signal reaches the threshold (depolarisation), then there is firing of the postsynaptic neuron

What does spinal manipulation do to temporal summation that light mechanical touch cannot?
Induces inhibition, which creates hypoalgesia
How are the clinical effects associated with spinal manipulative therapy believed to be explained?
By the vertebral displacement and muscle response generated during the procedure
This can be of short or long impulse duration (spinal manipulation, spinal mobilisation)
What neuromechanical responses can be created by spinal manipulation?
Greater intervertebral movement than mobilisation (long impulse duration)
Muscle response of greater amplitude than mobilisation