Functional disorders are the most common cause of pain and restricted movement in the thoracic spine. They are reversible conditions characterized by reduced joint mobility, muscle tension, and pain in the paraspinal muscles. The higher prevalence of functional disorders in the thoracic spine over structural pathologies shows the need for specific therapeutic protocols for their treatment. Manual therapy, encompassing various diagnostic and treatment approaches, aims to alleviate joint "blockages" in the musculoskeletal system. Particularly, acute functional thoracic spine disorders respond favorably to manual manipulation.
Aim of the study: To investigate the immediate and long-term clinical effects of the application of manual therapy in patients with functional disorders in the thoracic spine.
Material and methods: Twenty patients aged 18 to 50, diagnosed with thoracic spine functional disorders through both clinical history and manual assessment, underwent manual therapy. The therapeutic course included manual manipulation targeting the "blockaged" thoracic spinal segments—once on the study's first day and again after 15 days. Outcomes were evaluated using Ott’s sign, lumbar-locked rotation test, and VAS for spontaneous and palpable pain. Patients were evaluated three times: at the beginning of the trial, after the end of the therapeutic course, and 45 days after the beginning of the therapy.
Results: In all patients, there was an improvement in the range of motion, a reduction in pain, and an improvement in the functional state of the thoracic spine. Recent findings suggest that the benefits achieved through manual therapy are sustainable in the long term.
Conclusion: Manual therapy has a successful and long-lasting therapeutic effect on patients with functional disorders in the thoracic spine. Further exploration, including the integration of manual therapy with other physiotherapeutic interventions, holds potential for better pain reduction and muscle tone modulation.
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