Clone of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation Won't Cause Chest Injuries

Chest compressions during chiropractic spinal manipulation result in little or no risk of chest injury, according to new research. The study, published in the May 13 online edition of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, measured and examined the force of chest compressions ranging from typical to extremely rigorous and found all to be well under the threshold for injury.

"Results from this preliminary study showed that maximum chest compression during chiropractic manipulation of the thoracic spine is unlikely to result in injury," lead investigator Brian D. Stemper, associate professor in the department of neurosurgery at Medical College of Wisconsin, said in a journal news release.

"We performed this study to get a better understanding of the force limits of chiropractic manipulation. This information may lead to safer manipulation procedures and help to decrease the possibility of adverse patient outcomes," he added.