César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Marta Pérez-de-Heredia, Miguel Brea-Rivero, and Juan C. Miangolarra-Page.
The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effects on pressure pain threshold (PPT) tested over the lateral elbow region following a single cervical high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust manipulation, a sham-manual application (placebo), or a control condition; and to analyze if a different effect was evident on the side ipsilateral to, compared to the side contralateral to, the intervention. Fifteen asymptomatic volunteers (7 male, 8 female; aged 19-25 years) participated in this study. Each subject attended 3 experimental sessions on 3 separate days, at least 48 hours apart. At each session, subjects received either the manipulation, placebo, or control intervention provided by an experienced therapist. The manipulative intervention was directed at the posterior joint of the C5-6 vertebral level. PPT over the lateral epicondyle of both elbows was assessed preintervention and 5 minutes postintervention by an examiner blinded to the treatment allocation of the subject. The application of a manipulative intervention directed at the posterior joint of the C5-6 vertebral level produced an immediate increase in PPT over the lateral epicondyle of both elbows in healthy subjects.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2007,37(6),325-329.