• Carrick FR

• Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / therapy
• Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging

Abnormalities in intervertebral segmental motion have long been recognized, and the resultant effects of degenerative disc disease, intervertebral disc hernation, and instability have been well recorded. This study has been based on recognition of pathomechanics of the lumbar motion unit by the understanding of the normal expected movements. Specific attention has been directed at the "coupling mechanism" of the lumbar spine in its relationship to lateral bending. Patients in whose lateral flexion roentgenographic studies revealed abnormalities of intervertebral joint motion underwent specific manipulative reduction of the lumbar motion units. Immediate post-manipulative reduction roentgenograms were obtained. It was demonstrated that intervertebral joint abnormalities of motion could be readily corrected by manipulation. The restoration of normal motion in the lumbar spine by manipulation may well be a most important step forward in the treatment of low back pain syndromes.

Author keywords: lumbar spine, pathomechanics, coupling mechanism, manipulation, chiropractic

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