NEW Research Reveals the Biomechanics of Spinal Adjustments | #504

1 Sept 2025 · 16 min
15:55

Podcast episode (Evidence Based Chiropractor, host Dr. Jeff Langmaid) reviewing a July 2025 systematic review of biomechanical effects of high‑velocity, low‑amplitude spinal manipulations. The review pooled 33 randomized controlled trials across the spine and examined measurable outcomes: range of motion (ROM), facet‑joint spacing, and spinal stiffness, and whether these biomechanical changes related to clinical outcomes. Key reported findings in the episode: 16 cervical studies (9/16 showed statistically significant ROM increases after adjustment), one study reported >5° cervical flexion improvement versus <2° in sham, eight thoracic adjustments all improved cervical ROM, three imaging studies found increased facet‑joint gap after adjustment, spinal stiffness findings were inconsistent (most studies small/no change), and only one trial attempted to link biomechanical changes to pain/disability. The host interprets results as supportive of real mechanical effects from adjustments and highlights clinical implications for practice and patient communication.

Questions this video answers

July 2025, published in PLoS (as stated in the episode).

33 randomized controlled trials.

16 studies focused on cervical adjustments and cervical range of motion.

Nine of the 16 studies reported a statistically significant increase in cervical ROM after adjustment.

One study reported an improvement in cervical flexion of more than 5 degrees after adjustment versus less than 2 degrees in the sham group.

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