Cervical extension traction as part of a multimodal rehabilitation program relieves whiplash-associated disorders in a patient having failed previous chiropractic treatment: a CBP® case report.
Miles O Fortner, Paul A Oakley, Deed E Harrison
PMID 29545691WHAT IT FOUND
A 31-year-old woman with 12-year neck pain and headaches after whiplash reported pain 0/10 average and 2/10 worst after 30 multimodal sessions including cervical extension traction.
This is one case, not proof the treatment works.
Key findings
01After 30 treatments over almost 5 months, the patient's average neck pain and headache rating was 0/10, with worst 2/10.
02Cervical radiographic alignment changed from an absolute rotation angle of -18.8° to -32.1°, described as restoration of normal lordosis.
03The patient received neck extension exercises, Pope 2-way cervical extension traction, manual spinal therapy, Pro-lordotic exercises on a PowerPlate with thoracic-flex traction body weight, mirror image postural drop-table adjustments, and home supine Denneroll traction, Pro-lordotic exercises, and ice, so the contribution of any single component cannot be separated.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The paper reports one patient only, so it cannot show what would happen in other patients. Several treatments were used together, and the authors stated that it is not known which contributed. The paper did not include a long-term follow-up. Treatment frequency varied because of the patient's rotating coal mine shifts. The patient had a concussion after being bucked off a horse 8 months earlier, which may also have affected symptoms. The main outcomes were the patient's pain ratings and reported improvement, plus a radiographic angle measured by the authors. One author was paid to write the manuscript, and another teaches the methods and sells products used.
Declared interests
PAO was paid by CBP NonProfit for writing the manuscript. DEH teaches chiropractic rehabilitation methods used and sells products used in this manuscript.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that cervical extension traction relieved this patient's whiplash-associated neck pain and headaches. She received several treatments together, and the authors could not separate which one contributed.