Background: Studies investigating the immediate effects of a single intervention to correct forward head posture are rare. Objects: This study aimed to compare the changes in treatment effects in patients with forward head posture and neck pain after manual and self-exercise therapy over a 1-hour period. Methods: Twenty-eight participants were randomly divided into manual and self-exercise therapy groups. Following the initial evaluation, manual or self-exercise therapy was applied to each group for 30 minutes each in the prone, supine, and sitting positions. The variables measured were the craniovertebral angle (CVA), stress level, pain level, and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) stiffness. After the intervention, re-evaluation was conducted immediately, 30 minutes later, and 1 hour later. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the maintenance of treatment effects between the two groups. Results: Based on the two-way mixed ANOVA variance, there was no interaction between the groups and time for all variables, and no main effects were found between the groups. However, a significant effect of time was observed (p < 0.05). Post hoc tests using Bonferroni's correction revealed that in both groups, the CVA, pain, and stress showed significant improvements immediately after the intervention compared with before the intervention, and these treatment effects were maintained for up to 1 hour after the treatment (p < 0.0083) in the manual therapy group. However, the stress level was maintained until 30 minutes later (p < 0.0083) in the self-exercise group. There was no significant decrease in right SCM stiffness before and after the intervention; however, left SCM stiffness significantly decreased after the self-exercise intervention (p < 0.0083). Conclusion: Both manual and self-exercise therapy for 30 minutes were effective in reducing forward head posture related to the CVA, pain, and stress levels. These effects persisted for at least 30 minutes.

Background: Low back pain is a very common musculoskeletal disorder. Since low back pain can indicate physical and psychological problems, reducing the pain level of low back pain can be the primary goal of rehabilitation. Objectives: This study was performed to explain the personalized treatment protocol of Maitland orthopedic physiotherapy based on the brick wall concept for low back pain patients with hypomobility. Design: Randomized controlled study. Methods: A total of 14 chronic low back pain patients were divided into two groups. The experimental group received orthopedic manual physical therapy intervention. The control group received traditional physical therapy intervention. After the 3 days intervention, the joint range of motion and pain of the low back were measured. Results: The low back flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation joint range of motion was significantly increased in the experimental group than in the control group (P<.05). Low back pain was significantly reduced in the experimental group than in the control group (P<.05). Conclusion: It was confirmed that Maitland orthopedic physical therapy was an effective method as an intervention method to improve the joint range of motion and pain of chronic low back pain patients.

Background: Because of the lack of accurate values for applied forces in manual therapy, manual therapists relies on the magnitude of the individual’s perception during applying the force. However, excessive loading maneuvers carry risks for patients. Objective: To establish the relationship between the maximal force applied to swine skin with the specific region, sex, and baseline parameters of the subject. Design: Ex-vivo Study and laboratory Experimental research Methods: 3.5 kg of Korean pork sirloin that is a piece of swine was handled and it was set 3 dimensions; #A; #B; #C. Forty-seven participants who has no experience in physical therapy randomly carried out the experiment, indicated to push each place of the pressure spots with same posture and process under supervision from the instructor who has over 15 years of manual therapy, and we measured the pressure force in each time. Results: The biggest pressure force was recorded in spot #A, and #B was represented after #C. Pressure on #A showed certain statistic relation with height (r=.317, p<.05) and weight (r=.434, p<.01); pressure on #B showed certain relation which has statistical meaning with only height (r=.401, p<.01); pressure on #C emerged to have statistic relationship with height (r=.308, p< .05)and weight (r=.428, p<.01). The age aspect revealed relation with pressure on #A, #B and #C, but that was not statistically significant. Conclusions: It can be inferred that there is the most loss of pressure in the area where cartilage is like an island in the middle.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of manual therapy on lower extremity alignment in pelvic malalignment. The subjects were 20 adults with pelvic malalignment. They were divided into two groups: manual therapy group (n=10) and stretching exercise group (n=10). Each group performed the intervention two times per week for 4 weeks. The lower extremity alignment was measured by pelvic deviation, functional leg length inequality, and plantar pressure distribution, which were measured between pre- and post-test. In the result of pelvic deviation, there was a significant difference between the pre- and post-test of the manual therapy group and stretching exercise group. In the result of the functional leg length inequality, there was a significant difference between the pre- and post- test of the manual therapy group. In the result of plantar pressure distribution, there was a significant difference between the pre- and post- test of the manual therapy group. These findings suggest manual therapy improves the pelvic deviation, functional leg length inequality, and plantar pressure distribution in the pelvic malalignment.

The purpose of the present study is to apply Maitland orthopedic manual physical therapy to patients to examine the effects of the therapy on the digestive system through serum gastrin tests that can identify the motility of the digestive system and dyspepsia symptoms and can provide basic data for internal medicinal physical therapy. Maitland orthopedic manual physical therapy was implemented on 20 subjects in total, with 10 in a dyspepsia group and 10 in a control group, for 20 minutes per day, three days per week for three weeks, and the following results were obtained. In the control group, serum gastrin values significantly decreased between before and after treatment(p<.01), and among questionnaire items regarding dyspepsia, those regarding epigastric pain and belching showed significant decreases in these symptoms(p<.05). In the dyspepsia group, serum gastrin values significantly decreased between before and after treatment(p<.01) and all questions regarding dyspepsia showed significant decreases in all symptoms(p<.01). According to the analysis, the dyspepsia group decreased significantly more than the control group in serum gastrin values and all dyspepsia symptoms, except for belching(p<.001). Through the present study, it was identified that Maitland orthopedic manual physical therapy can improve dyspepsia symptoms and is an effective treatment method for internal diseases, such as dyspepsia, by improving gastric motility to become close to the normal state.

2 week study was conducted to investigate the effects of Interferential Current(IC) and Kaltenborn-Evjenth Orthopedic Manual Therapy(KEOMT) on functional constipation. Interventions were applied to spinal segments between T9-L2 which provides innerva˗ tions to the gastrointestinal tract. Subjects(n=24) were randomly allo˗ cated to two treatment groups: the IC group or the KEOMT group. Results for the IC therapy demonstrated significant decrease with the colonic transit time(CTT) as well as scores on the constipation assessment scale(CAS). The frequency of defecations per week had increased significantly(p<0.05). The KEOMT displayed decreased CTT in the left colon region. The scores on the CAS were reduced and frequency of defecations per week had increased significantly (p<0.05). This study not only showed that both modes of therapy improved symptoms of constipation, but also optimized gastrointesti˗ nal content movement, eventuating in a more normalized CTT. In conclusion, both the IC therapy and the Kaltenborn-Evjenth Orthopedic Manual Therapy have shown to be effective interventions for improving functional constipation.