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The Clinical Basis for Discussion of Mechanisms of Manipulative Therapy

  • Chapter
The Neurobiologic Mechanisms in Manipulative Therapy

Abstract

“There is no scientific basis for manipulative therapy,” has been the most commonly stated and the most damaging criticism levied against practitioners of manipulation (Crelin, 1973; Farfan, 1973). Many noted physicians and scientists, after reviewing the available literature and research, have come to the conclusion that “there is no justification for the use of manipulative therapy” (Nachemson, 1975; Pearce & Moll, 1967; Sham, 1974). On the other hand, practitioners of manipulation feel that their clinical results are indisputable (Gitelman, 1975; Maitland, 1973; Mennell, 1960), and that there is ample experimental evidence to support their theories on how manipulation works (Cyriax, 1975; Homewood, 1963; Janse, Houser & Wells, 1947; Maigne, 1972). One reason for this dichotomy of opinion is the fact that certain basic criteria requisite for the evaluation of the rationale for any treatment have been frequently neglected.

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  1. Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, USA

    Scott Haldeman

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  1. Michigan State University, USA

    Irvin M. Korr

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Haldeman, S. (1978). The Clinical Basis for Discussion of Mechanisms of Manipulative Therapy. In: Korr, I.M. (eds) The Neurobiologic Mechanisms in Manipulative Therapy. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-8902-6_4

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