Inflammatory response following a short-term course of chiropractic treatment in subjects with and without chronic low back pain

• Published in: Journal of chiropractic medicine Vol. 9; no. 3; pp. 107 - 114
• Main Authors: Roy, Richard A., Boucher, Jean P., Comtois, Alain S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.09.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: C-reactive protein; Diagnosis; Interleukins; Manipulation; Original; Spinal; Spinal; C-reactive protein; Diagnosis; Interleukins; Manipulation
• ISSN: 1556-3707; 1556-3715
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcm.2010.06.002

Inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) have not been evaluated in response to a short course of lumbar spinal manipulation. The purpose of this study is to observe the responses of inflammatory markers (IL-6 and CRP) after a series of 9 chiropractic spinal manipulations. Twenty-one participants were assigned to a treatment or a control group. Only the treatment group received 9 chiropractic interventions. Pre- and postintervention measures were recorded for blood samples for detection of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and CRP. Mediators of inflammation (IL-6 and high-sensitivity CRP) were modified by the intervention received in the treatment group, and the effect size demonstrated a tendency toward the control group values. A total of 9 chiropractic lower back manipulations caused the mediators of inflammation to present a normalization response in individuals suffering from chronic low back pain.