Effects of Thoracic Screw Manipulation in Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy

Cervical radiculopathy is a pain and/or sensorimotor deficit syndrome that is defined as being caused by compression of a cervical nerve root. The compression can occur as a result of disc herniation, Spondylosis, instability, trauma, or rarely, tumors. Thoracic spine manipulation (TSM) is defined as a high-velocity/low amplitude movement or "thrust" directed at any segment of the thoracic spine. Recent research has shown that Thoracic Joint Manipulation directed to the thoracic spine provides a therapeutic benefit to patients with neck pain and has been suggested as an appropriate strategy to minimize the risks associated with manipulation of the cervical spine

Patient presentations can range from complaints of pain, numbness, and/or tingling in the upper extremity to electrical type pains or even weakness. Disc herniation accounts for 20-25% of the cases of cervical radiculopathy. Most of the time cervical radiculopathy appears unilaterally; however it is possible for bilateral symptoms to be present if severe bony spurs are present at one level, impinging/irritating the nerve root on both sides. If peripheral radiation of pain, weakness, or pins and needle are present, the location of the pain will follow back to the concerned affected nerve root Manual techniques include positional release technique, muscle energy technique, myofascial release technique, Cyriax technique, Natural Apophyseal Glides and Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glides, manual pressure release, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and ischemic compression. Thoracic spine manipulation (TSM) is defined as a high-velocity/low amplitude movement or "thrust" directed at any segment of the thoracic spine. Recent research has shown that Thoracic Joint Manipulation directed to the thoracic spine provides a therapeutic benefit to patients with neck pain and has been suggested as an appropriate strategy to minimize the risks associated with manipulation of the cervical spine