16 Preliminary investigation into the effects of McTimoney chiropractic treatment and combined with pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on mechanical nociceptive thresholds of horses

Abstract

McTimoney chiropractic treatment(MCT), a high velocity low amplitude spinal manipulation therapy, produces profound but transient attenuation of motor neurone activity. Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy(PEMF) has perceived pain-relieving effects and improves the reduction in muscle and fascial tension. Both are used in therapeutic protocols. The study objectively assessed the influence of MCT and PEMF therapy on mechanical nociceptive thresholds(MNTs) at 3 specific muscular junction trigger points(TPs) of the thoracolumbar musculature. MNTs are a measure of sensitivity to musculoskeletal tenderness. A controlled randomized study using 12 sound cob-type horses from the same yard and training schedule randomly assigned into 3 groups of n = 4. Control group, no intervention; 2 treatment groups:(A) MCT only (10min assessment, 10min treatment by a qualified McTimoney animal practitioner) and (B) combined (MCT plus Biomag 2TM PEMF mat(200hz) placed cranial to T18, 5min per side). Stood square, triplicate MNTs were measured using pressure algometry on both sides at 3 muscle TPs[TP 45(junction of spinalis, longissimus thoracis and trapezius thoracis); 47 (longissimus thoracis et lumborum); and 62 (gluteus medius)] at 4 time points 0(pre-treatment), 30(post MCT), 60(post PEMF), 150min.Statistical tests: Shapiro-Wilk test, paired T- test compared left/right MNTs, ANOVA analyzed group data for each TP over time with Bonferroni post hoc analysis. There was no difference (P > 0.05) between left and right MNTs for all measurement sites. There was no changes in MNTs over time at all TPs for control group(P > 0.05). There was a significant increase in mean MNTs pre-treatment to 150min for both treatment groups (A:P = 0.03, B:P = 0.01). Significant changes in MNTs at each muscle TP shown in Table 1. This study provides positive evidence that chiropractic and when combined with PEMF treatment show a significant reduction in sensitivity to musculoskeletal tenderness (increased MNTs) over the time period compared with no treatment. Different muscle groups behave differently. Further research is required on difference in muscle tonicity effects and over a longer period.