Neural Mechanisms Underlying Manual Cervical Traction

Abstract

Manual therapy is commonly used to decrease pain and improve function of the musculoskeletal system in spite of scant knowledge of the underlying mechanisms. Manual cervical traction is suggested to relieve pain and muscle spasm in the neck and upper quartile. Afferent input generated by these procedures may lower the excitability of α-motoneuron pools of upper limb muscles. While joint receptors are traditionally viewed as the receptor most likely to evoke re- sponses to manual therapy, a review of the literature into possible mechanisms underlying manual cervical traction suggests stretch generated in cervical muscles and skin during the procedure has the potential to influence the excitability of α-motoneurons. An understanding of the receptors and mechanisms underlying manual therapy may allow more effective stimulation, and hence, improved clinical outcomes.

Keywords:

• MANUAL THERAPY
• CERVICAL
• TRACTION
• ALPHA-MOTONEURON
• MECHANISMS