A controlled trial of manipulation in a selected group of patients with low back pain favouring one side.

Ten patients with low back pain favouring mainly one side are treated by manipulation, using a specified technique. Tension measurements in both legs are taken at five degree increments as the legs are passively raised, with the knees extended, both before and after manipulation. The resultant tension gradients are compared with a control group of subjects with no back pain who are also manipulated. There is a statistically significant alteration in the tension measurements after manipulation of the painful side as compared with the change after manipulation of the controls.