New Research on Measuring Vertebral Subluxation

Recent research reported in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research reveals that the use of surface electromyography, sEMG, may play an important role in assessing muscular and neurological components of vertebral subluxation.

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“Research is revealing that structural shifts in spinal alignment and the nerve obstruction they cause may be a factor in a number of disorders” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study.  McCoy added “Measuring the effects of those structural shifts on the nervous system is a crucial aspect of assessing and correcting them.” 

This study assessed 41 participants for the presence of leg length inequality (LLI) and its relationship to the cervical spine and the muscles of the lumbar spine. sEMG was utilized to assess the activity of the lumbar paraspinal muscles while the subjects turned their heads to the right and left. This is a common procedure performed by chiropractors to assess for the location of vertebral subluxation in the spine and pelvis. 

Results showed there is a correlation between leg length changes, movement of the head and neck and changes in muscle activity in the lumbar spine. Because muscle palpation has often exhibited poor reliability, sEMG provides a greater level of reliability for precise analysis of cervical syndrome and ultimately vertebral subluxation. 

The study’s authors called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of such testing on the practice of chiropractic. A useful advance in the analysis of vertebral subluxation would be to evaluate the specific pattern of lumbar paraspinal muscle recruitment observed in the presence of the cervical syndrome reflecting greater detail of the association between a subluxated cervical region and full-spine compensations. This could allow for a more precise adjustment of vertebral subluxations. 

Results from this study may inform future studies that evaluate patterns of full-spine compensation to cervical vertebral subluxation and to advance the analysis of cervical vertebral subluxation. Future research is recommended to include multiple lumbar sites as well as thoracic sites, and to include a larger cohort. 

Contact Information: 

Matthew McCoy DC, MPH
Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research
https://www.vertebralsubluxationresearch.com/vertebral-subluxation-research-1/
support@vertebralsubluxationresearch.com