Areas of capsaicin-induced secondary hyperalgesia andallodyniaarereduced by a single chiropractic adjustment: A preliminary study

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Contributors

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate the hypoalgesic effects of a single spinal manipulation treatment on acute inflammatory reactions and pain induced by cutaneous application of capsaicin.Methods: Twenty healthy subjects participated in the experiment, which consisted of 2 sessions. In both sessions, following control measurements, topical capsaicin was applied to the right or left forearm to induce cutaneous inflammatory reactions. The cream was removed after 20 minutes. Then subjects received either spinal manipulation treatment (SMT) or "nonspinal manipulation treatment" (N-SMT), respectively. In control as well as pretreatment and posttreatment intervals, the following tests were performed: measurement of the areas of mechanical hyperalgesia and stroking allodynia, assessment of spontaneous pain, and measurement of blood flow.Results: The results confirmed that topical capsaicin induced inflammatory reactions based on occurrence of hyperalgesia and allodynia, augmented pain perception, and increased blood flow following capsaicin application compared with the control session. When compared with N-SMT, spontaneous pain was rated significantly lower post-SMT (P < .014). In addition, areas of both secondary hyperalgesia and allodynia decreased after SMT (hyperalgesia: P < .007; allodynia: P < .003). However, there was no significant treatment effect for local blood flow.Conclusion: These results suggest hypoalgesic effects following a single SMT. As local vascular parameter was not affected by the single SMT, the hypoalgesic effects appear to be due to central mechanisms.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)381-387
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume27
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - 2004
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 15319760
Scopus 4344693132
ORCID /0000-0001-9713-0183/work/146645653

Keywords

Keywords

  • Allodynia, Chiropractic manipulation, Hyperalgesia, Pain

Library keywords