M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / Introduction The aim of this study is to determine whether standard leg rubs and reassurance combined with lumbosacral manipulations have an effect on growing pain symptoms by comparing it to standard leg rubs and reassurance only. The study can possibly serve as a platform for further research. Furthermore, this will be one of the first chiropractic studies done in this field and may provide the chiropractic profession with a proven treatment for growing pains. Methodology Thirty participants with growing pains between the ages of 4 and 12 years were recruited. The participants were placed into two groups of fifteen participants each on a first come first serve basis. The two groups received different treatment protocols according to their group allocation. Group One received chiropractic manipulative therapy to the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint restrictions combined with legs rubs and reassurance administered by the parent(s)/guardian(s). Group Two received only legs rubs and reassurance administered by the parent(s)/guardian(s). The participants completed the study over a period of three weeks. Subjective and objective readings were taken. Subjective readings from each participant were taken using the Oucher self-rating pain scale (OSRPS) and a pain diary completed by the parent(s)/guardian(s). Objective readings were taken using a pressure algometer over the anterior tibial muscles bilaterally. A six-week post study follow up was done via email. Results The statistical data was analyzed using the Friedman test, Mann-Whitney test and the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test. The results demonstrated that both groups responded favourably to their specific treatment over time. However, Group One proved to show a quicker response to treatment over time; and the post study follow up of Group One proved to be significantly more positive than Group Two. These results highlight the positive effects of the chiropractic manipulation. Discussion The fact that the participants of Group One have improved in subjective and objective measurements and the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the participants have responded very positively to the post study follow up, one has to consider that the anatomical theory proposed by Evans and Scutter (2007), the pain referral theory supported by Cookson (2003) and the activation of pain inhibitory systems supported by Wright (1995) and Sterling et al. (2001) might all be a likely aetiologies for growing pains. However, one has to consider that the participants from Group Two, who received no spinal manipulation, have also improved in subjective and objective readings. Therefore it is possible, and cannot be excluded, that the leg rubs administered to both groups could also have played a role in relieving the growing pains. Conclusion The results of the data collected from this study, the pressure algometer and OSRPS readings, showed that spinal manipulation did not have much of a benefit. However, the pain diaries and feedback from the parent(s)/guardian(s), which are probably more reliable for growing pains, indicates that spinal manipulation does show to be beneficial.

M.Tech. (Chiropractic) / Purpose: The trapezius muscle is thought to be the muscle most commonly associated with the presence of active myofascial trigger points (MFTP’s). Studies of the trapezius muscle clearly show that muscular activity significantly increases in response to psychological stress. Cervical spine manipulation has been proven to be highly effective in the treatment of active MFTP’s and muscular tension. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) therapy is frequently utilized as a relaxation technique in subjects complaining of increased levels of muscular tension, possibly due to an increased perception of psychological stress. Although cervical spine manipulation alone is effective in the treatment of active MFTP’s and muscular tension, chiropractors often search for adjunctive therapies to improve current treatment protocols. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the combination of cervical spine manipulation and PMR therapy is a more efficient, and possibly effective, treatment protocol for active MFTP’s of the trapezius muscle. Method: This study was a comparative study and consisted of two groups of fifteen participants each. All participants were between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five years of age, with a male to female ratio of 1:1. Potential participants were examined and accepted according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Group A received chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy of the cervical spine. Group B was the combination group and therefore received chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy of the cervical spine together with the application of PMR therapy. Subjective measurements consisted of a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) Questionnaire, Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS) and the Vernon-Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index Questionnaire. Objective measurements consisted of pressure pain threshold algometry readings taken from active trigger points one (TP1) and/or trigger point two (TP2) on the right and/or left side of the upper trapezius muscle.