Did You Know...

That studies have shown thoracic adjustments can improve respiratory function?

Impaired respiratory function shows a high correlation with morbidity and mortality, and is the main characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, along with dyspnea, cough, and increased sputum. Normal respiratory function is important to the prognosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

In one study, chiropractic adjustments of the thoracic spine were done to increase joint mobility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate effect of spinal thoracic manipulation on respiratory function tests in healthy young subjects.

Thirty young healthy subjects recruited from a local university participated in this study. Subjects were randomly allocated into an experimental group and control group. The experimental received thoracic spinal manipulation and the control group received placebo thoracic spinal manipulation. Respiratory function tests, including forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second, were measured before and after manipulations.

The values for both tests were significantly higher ub tge experimental group. The control group showed no change after the placebo manipulation. Differences in pre- and post-manipulation values for both tests were significantly different between the experimental and control group.

In conclusion, spinal manipulation therapy applied to the thoracic region improved respiratory function test results of participants in this study. This is good information and can be applied to individuals who may suffer from asthma, allergies, COPD or other debilitating diseases of the respiratory system.

For more information visit: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5080173/