SPINAL MANIPULATION
Spinal manipulation also known as a high velocity low amplitude thrust technique is a passive technique where the therapist applies a specifically directed thrust to the joint when it is at the end of its passive/physiological range of motion. This is often accompanied by an audible pop or crack sound which is commonly accepted to be a cavitation of the spinal facet joint.
Spinal manipulation is reported to have a number of different effects, which may include decrease in spinal stiffness, produce short term pain relief. Spinal Manipulation is thought to cause biomechanical changes within the spine resulting in physiological changes (potentially affecting the nature of sensory information that the central nervous system receives).