Objective: The investigation of force magnitudes used in cervical manipulation, or “adjustment,” is relevant to claims that manipulation can cause injury. However, there has been a limited amount of investigation of forces during chiropractic supine cervical adjustments (SCAs). We report the peak force values obtained using a measurement device custom designed and built for a study of chiropractic SCAs.
Methods: Licensed Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) from our university volunteered to provide or receive SCAs. DCs performing adjustments were asked to wear a plastic frame, made with a 3D printer and affixed with a Velcro strap, on the index finger of the hand performing the SCA. A Tekscan Flexiforce pressure sensor was affixed to the frame and connected to a small amplifier attached to the forearm. Data were collected with Noraxon MR3 software and exported to Excel for analysis.
Results: We had 13 successful force recordings, with a mean peak force of 79.5 Newtons (SD: 27.0), ranging from a maximum of 125.4 N to a minimum of 46.8 N.
Conclusion: The force levels found in this study are on the “light” end of mean peak forces reported by other studies in the literature, which range from 40.5 N to 407 N. The finger splint worked well. No participants reported any discomfort nor interference with thrusts. We plan to use the system again for trials in which we will measure both peak forces and motion of SCAs.
Author keywords: Chiropractic; Chiropractic Manipulation; Spinal; Force; Kinetics
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