M.Tech. / The primary aim of this investigation was to evaluate the possible effectiveness of a cervical support pillow in combination with cervical spine manipulation versus cervical spine manipulation alone, in the management of cervicogenic headache. The secondary aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a cervical support pillow (Top Pillow) to the efficacy of the cervical support pillow used by Ross (2002) in the management of cervicogenic headache. During this study, thirty participants were recruited. The participants were divided into three groups of ten each. The three groups received the following treatments over a 3 week period: • Group one only received chiropractic cervical adjustments • Group two received a cervical support pillow and chiropractic cervical adjustments • Group three received only a cervical support pillow. After the treatment was concluded the recorded data was submitted to the staff at STATKON where the data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The results of the clinical trial revealed that the group that received chiropractic manipulation and the cervical support pillow showed the most significant changes of all three the groups in all planes of cervical range of motion, with all the results being statistically significant. The group that only received chiropractic manipulation also exhibited a significant increase in all planes of cervical range of motion, with only extension not being statistically significant. The group that only received a cervical support pillow, revealed a statistically significant increase in almost all planes of cervical range of motion except for flexion where no increase was noted the increases were, however, still markedly less than those of the former two groups that received chiropractic adjustments to specific restricted motion segments. With regard to perceived pain measured on the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, the two groups that received chiropractic adjustments improved to a much greater degree than the group that only received a cervical support pillow. With regard to Vernon-Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index all three groups had a statistically significant decrease in the perception of disability although the adjustment groups once again showed a much greater decrease in disability than the pillow only group. The already proven benefits that patients with cervicogenic headache receive from chiropractic spinal manipulation, can be successfully supplemented by the use of a cervical support pillow and the top pillow performed better than the pillow used by Ross et al. (2002) in the treatment of cervicogenic headache.

M.Tech. / OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether adjustment of the cervico-thoracic motion segment in individuals with altered or decreased motion at that segment, in conjunction with a strengthening protocol, had a greater increase in triceps brachii muscle strength compared to a strengthening protocol or chiropractic adjustment alone. By reducing the negative neural and other effects caused by aberrant movement between vertebra, chiropractic adjustment could allow the body’s muscle physiology to function at its best, thereby allowing it to adapt to changes more readily. DESIGN: Thirty subjects participated in this study. The subjects were randomly and without being aware of it, assigned to one of three groups. The only requirement for inclusion in the research was a restriction of the seventh cervical vertebra based on motion and static palpation. Patients in two of the groups were asked to perform tricep brachii muscle strengthening exercises and patients from two of the groups received chiropractic adjustment to the cervico-thoracic motion segment. Patients were seen a total of three times over a period of two weeks. MEASUREMENTS: Triceps brachii muscle strength testing was performed using an isometric dynamometer. Three pre-treatment readings and three post-treatment readings were performed, with one-minute intervals, on all the subjects. This was done to determine if there was a change before or after treatment and if there was a long-term effect. CONCLUSION: Although measurements were taken on each visit before and after each treatment, there was only a statistically significant difference in triceps brachii muscle strength between the experimental and the other two groups before treatment on the third visit. This does however; suggest that there was a favourable result and that a combination of treatments does indeed produce better results than one of the other treatments alone.

M.Tech.

M.Tech.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (p.108-111, etc.).

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2012. / The Chiropractic profession has made significant progress with regard to the production of high quality and clinically relevant research in the last 20 years. This correlates with a spike in development within the chiropractic profession as well as its acceptance by the medical fraternity and public. The responsibility for continuing this positive trend is dependent on the chiropractic graduates and practitioners of the future. Therefore, it is important to establish the current perceptions and utilization of research by Chiropractors, so that future research can be built around the needs and requirements of today’s practitioners, thereby ensuring the profession’s continued development and future in health care. The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions that Chiropractors have of research and its relevance / utilization in practice. Method: The study was a quantitative questionnaire based, self administered survey. The sample group included all Chiropractic practitioners currently practising in South Africa (N=515). Results: There was a response rate of 35% (n=174). The results indicated that the perception of research was very positive overall, with the strongest positive response being that research adds credibility to the profession. However, most respondents disagreed with the statement that chiropractors who had done research had an advantage above those who had not. There was a positive, albeit weak correlation between perceptions and utilization of research, indicating that as perceptions increased, so did utilization of research. The area of greatest concern was that even though a high degree of research utilization was reported by chiropractors, research was least likely to be used to change conditions, policies or practices in practice. v Conclusion: The most significant factors associated with positive perceptions and utilization were found to be publishing in a journal and receiving referrals from other health care practitioners. Chiropractors who indicated an interest in doing research again were also very positively linked to utilization. It would seem that even though chiropractors perceive research positively, their implementation into practice has some hurdles that impede the full integration of research into practice. As very few demographic and personal attributes of the South African chiropractor were found to be primarily responsible for low utilization of research in practice, it can be hypothesised that the factors impeding research implementation are most likely environmental in nature.

Thesis (M.Tech.:Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2005 xii, [137] leaves / Musculoskeletal injuries in computer users are an increasing concern. The computer has become an essential working tool that is used throughout all levels of companies and organisations. Management and professional personnel are required to use computers, often without training in typing skills, this combined with higher stress and responsibility levels and lengthy work hours. Potentially this makes them a high-risk group for work related injury. Previous research has focused mainly on data entry and secretarial workers, who are often competent in typing and keyboard skills. There is an increasing body of literature that implicates a wide variety of factors responsible for computer and office related musculoskeletal injury, however there is still much conflict as to what factors play the most influential role in development of these disorders. Conflict largely remains over the role of individual and constitutional factors versus workplace factors such as ergonomic design and patterns of computer use. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the prevalence of and related risk factors associated with work related musculoskeletal injuries of the neck and shoulder in non-secretarial computer users within the South African context.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2005 / Optimal ventilation of the lungs is essential to the function of the human body. Our lungs can be expanded and contracted by the elevation and depression of the ribs. This causes an increase and decrease of the anteroposterior diameter of the chest cavity and the lungs are then expanded by raising the rib cage. There are several different dysfunctions which the ribs are subjected to. These dysfunctions consist of restrictions in either inhalation or exhalation and are associated with increased tone of the intercostals muscles between the ribs. Therefore, if the chest wall movement is restricted in any way, this will cause decrements in pulmonary function and exercise capacity. Furthermore, there is a significant increase in oxygen cost associated with external chest wall restriction, which is directly related to the level of chest wall restriction. Mobilization of the ribs aims to restore mobility and function but no investigations into the immediate effect of rib mobilization on chest wall expansion and lung function have been conducted. Therefore this study aimed to test whether chest wall expansion and therefore lung function can be influenced in ten minutes following a mechanical intervention.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)- Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2002. x, 55 leaves / Chiropractic researchers have hypothesized as to how the removal of a cervical dysfunction may affect the nervous system negatively. However, little focus has been placed on possible optimizing effects, such as grip strength. This study attempted to establish that relationship. Therefore, the specific aim of this study was to determine the relative effectiveness of segmental manipulation of the cervical spine on grip strength in patients with mechanical cervical spine dysfunction.

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