Acute effect of manual therapy on the thoracic spine in athletes on vertebral arrangement

The aim of this study was conducted to examine the immediate effects of manual therapy on the thoracic spine in athletes without any postural problems and pain on the spinal segments. The study was conducted as a randomized, controlled, and single-blinded clinical trial. The 28 male athletes participating in the study were randomly divided into two groups. In intervention group, direct manipulation was applied to the thoracic spine in the inferior part of the scapula of. In sham treatment group participants were positioned in the same way. The clinician's hands were placed on the thoracic region. After inhalation and exhalation, the hands were withdrawn and the application was completed. Kinematic analysis of the thoracal and lumbar regions were conducted on both groups by photogrammetric method. Direct thoracic manipulation creates acute vertebral kinematic changes in kyphotic angle (p<0,05) and vertebral rotation max (p<0,05). There is no significant change in lordotic angle, apical deviation, sagittal imbalance and coronal imbalance (p>0,05). Acute kinematic effect of manipulation practices occurs only in practice region not other vertebral segments in spine. This can be a guide with its value as evidence for its therapeutic use. Keywords: Kinematic, manual therapy, spinal manipulation, biomechanic