Paul A. Oakley

By Paul A. Oakley, Ibrahim M. Moustafa and Deed E. Harrison

Low back and neck pain disorders are among the leading causes for work loss, suffering, and health care expenditures throughout the industrialized world. It has been extensively demonstrated that sagittal plane alignment of the cervical and lumbar spines impacts human health and well-being. Today there are reliable and predictable means through the application of extension spinal traction as part of comprehensive rehabilitation programs to restore the natural curvatures of the spine. High-quality evidence points to Chiropractic BioPhysics® (CBP®) methods offering superior long-term outcomes for treating patients with various craniocervical and lumbosacral disorders. CBP technique is a full spine and posture rehabilitation approach that incorporates mirror image® exercises, spinal and postural adjustments, and unique traction applications in the restoration of normal/ideal spinal alignment. Recent randomized controlled trials using CBP’s unique extension traction methods in conjunction with various conventional physiotherapeutic methods have demonstrated those who restore normal lordosis (cervical or lumbar) get symptomatic relief that lasts up to 2 years after treatment. Comparative groups receiving various ‘cookie-cutter’ conventional treatments experience only temporary symptomatic relief that regresses as early as 3 months after treatment. The economic impact/benefit of CBPs newer sagittal spine rehabilitation treatments demand continued attention from clinicians and researchers alike.

Part of the book: Spinal Deformities in Adolescents, Adults and Older Adults

By Paul A. Oakley, Ibrahim M. Moustafa and Deed E. Harrison

Increasingly, there is more attention being directed to the role that full spine sagittal alignment plays in causing or exacerbating a variety of musculoskeletal disorders. Similarly, spinal displacements, termed subluxation, are thought to cause dysfunctions in the entire neuromusculoskeletal system that may lead to altered neurophysiological function, abnormal sensorimotor control, and altered autonomic nervous system function. Abnormalities in neutral upright spine alignment (sagittal translation or flexion deformities) are known to increase mechanical loads (stresses and strains) on the central nervous system. These increased mechanical loads may subtly or overtly impair neurophysiological function as measured with evoked potentials in terms of latency and amplitudes of potentials. Proprioceptive afferentation from spine ligaments, muscles and discs are considered a major component of sensorimotor control. The voluminous mechanoreceptors in spinal muscles, ligaments, and discs plays an intimate role, providing the necessary neurophysiological input in a feed forward and feedback system for sensorimotor control via connections to the vestibular, visual and central nervous systems. Of particular interest, a network of neurophysiological connections between spine mechanoreceptors and the sympathetic nervous system has been documented. This chapter explores the hypothesis and evidence that restoring normal posture and spine alignment has important influences on neurophysiology, sensorimotor control and autonomic nervous system functionality. There is limited but high-quality research identifying that sagittal spine alignment restoration plays an important role in improving neurophysiology, sensorimotor control, and autonomic nervous system function. Accordingly, in the current chapter, we review this work in hopes of stimulating further investigations into structural rehabilitation of the spine and posture.

Part of the book: Therapy Approaches in Neurological Disorders

By Deed E. Harrison and Paul A. Oakley

Chiropractic Biophysics® (CBP®) technique is a full-spine and posture correcting method that incorporates mathematical principles into a unique approach to treat spinal disorders. It considers that the identification of postural rotations and translations of human postures are first evaluated and compared to the radiographic assessment of the spine alignment. Mirror image® postural positions and movements are utilized including spinal extension positions to improve the spine and posture towards a normal/ideal alignment. Specifically, corrective exercises, corrective traction and chiropractic adjustments are performed encompassing a multimodal rehabilitation program with the goal of improving the posture and spine alignment. CBP Rehabilitation programs are typically performed in-office with supportive at-home measures. Repeat assessment including radiographs are used to quantify and monitor structural improvements. CBP technique is an evidence-based approach to treat spine deformities and is supported by all forms of clinical evidence including systematic literature reviews, randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, case reports/series as well as is supported by biomechanical posture-spine coupling validity, radiographic and posture analysis reliability/repeatability and use of a validated biomechanical spinal model as the outcome goal of care. CBP technique is a proven method to improve pain, disability and quality of life in those with structural deformities.

Part of the book: Complementary Therapies