A dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for a Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2006. / This research study was designed in the form of a quantitative, non-experimental, empirical clinical survey. Objectives: 1) To determine the period prevalence (1 January 1997 – 31 December 2004) of congenital cervical spine anomalies. 2) To determine if there is any association between the presenting clinical features and the congenital cervical spine anomalies in general. 3) To determine if there is any association between the presenting clinical features and individual congenital cervical spine anomalies. 4) To compare subjects presenting clinical features with reported clinical features from literature. / M

Thesis (M.Tech.: - Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2006 xiii, 75 leaves, Annexures 1-2 / This research study was designed in the form of a quantitative, non-experimental, empirical clinical survey. Objectives: 1) To determine the period prevalence (1 January 1997 – 31 December 2004) of congenital cervical spine anomalies. 2) To determine if there is any association between the presenting clinical features and the congenital cervical spine anomalies in general. 3) To determine if there is any association between the presenting clinical features and individual congenital cervical spine anomalies. 4) To compare subjects presenting clinical features with reported clinical features from literature.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2005 96, [20] leaves / Strengthening of the rotator cuff muscles forms an integral part of any rehabilitation programme for the shoulder. Shoulder rehabilitation programmes which incorporate early motion and emphasize strengthening, have a lower incidence of recurrent subluxations and dislocations. If cervical manipulation were proven to increase the strength of the rotator cuff muscles, then this could be used to develop and implement more effective treatment and rehabilitation protocols for patients with musculoskeletal painful shoulders and rotator cuff pathologies, and therefore provide future patients with more effective health care. Studies have shown consistent reflex responses associated with spinal manipulative treatments. These reflex responses have been hypothesized to cause the clinically beneficial effects of decreasing hypertonicity in muscles, pain reduction and increasing the functional ability of the patient, and although spinal manipulation has been shown to affect muscle strength, it has not been extensively researched and it is unclear whether increased muscle strength is yet another reflex effect of manipulation. As the rotator cuff is innervated by nerves arising from the mid and lower cervical spine, it is theorised that dysfunction of the spinal joints adversely affects nerve endings, causing inhibition of nerve function and affecting the rotator cuff. This is congruent with research which describes how there could be a decrease in muscular activity due to interference with the nerve supply of a muscle by means of a spinal joint fixation. In light of this, one could hypothesize that removal of a cervical joint dysfunction by manipulation, could increase motor unit recruitment and muscular activity of the muscles supplied by that cervical level and therefore possibly strengthen the muscles involved. Therefore the aim of this study was to determine whether cervical manipulation could contribute to the strengthening process of the rotator cuff.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2005 96, [20] leaves / Strengthening of the rotator cuff muscles forms an integral part of any rehabilitation programme for the shoulder. Shoulder rehabilitation programmes which incorporate early motion and emphasize strengthening, have a lower incidence of recurrent subluxations and dislocations. If cervical manipulation were proven to increase the strength of the rotator cuff muscles, then this could be used to develop and implement more effective treatment and rehabilitation protocols for patients with musculoskeletal painful shoulders and rotator cuff pathologies, and therefore provide future patients with more effective health care. Studies have shown consistent reflex responses associated with spinal manipulative treatments. These reflex responses have been hypothesized to cause the clinically beneficial effects of decreasing hypertonicity in muscles, pain reduction and increasing the functional ability of the patient, and although spinal manipulation has been shown to affect muscle strength, it has not been extensively researched and it is unclear whether increased muscle strength is yet another reflex effect of manipulation. As the rotator cuff is innervated by nerves arising from the mid and lower cervical spine, it is theorised that dysfunction of the spinal joints adversely affects nerve endings, causing inhibition of nerve function and affecting the rotator cuff. This is congruent with research which describes how there could be a decrease in muscular activity due to interference with the nerve supply of a muscle by means of a spinal joint fixation. In light of this, one could hypothesize that removal of a cervical joint dysfunction by manipulation, could increase motor unit recruitment and muscular activity of the muscles supplied by that cervical level and therefore possibly strengthen the muscles involved. Therefore the aim of this study was to determine whether cervical manipulation could contribute to the strengthening process of the rotator cuff. / M

M.Tech. / Purpose: This study aims to determine whether adjusting the area of nerve root supply, or adjusting the attachment site of the latissimus dorsi muscle, will have an effect on the latissimus dorsi muscle and to which extend, with regards to strength and electromyographic (sEMG) activity. These effects were evaluated by measuring the latissimus dorsi .muscle strength using a Jamar dynamometer as well as sEMG readings of the latissimus dorsi muscle using a Neuro Trac ETS unit. Readings were taken prior to treatment on the first, third, and fifth consultations. Method: Forty five participants who met the inclusion criteria were stratified in number and gender between three groups of equal size (15 participants each). Group 1 received lower cervical adjustments (C5 - C7), group 2 received lower thoracic and lumbar adjustments (T6 - L5) and group 3 received detuned ultrasound therapy on the latissimus dorsi muscle. Group three served as the control group. Participants were treated four times out of a total of five sessions, over a maximum three week period Procedure: Objective data was collected at the beginning of the first and third session, as well as on the fifth consultation by means of a Jamar dynamometer and a Neuro Trac ETS unit in order to assess the functionality of the latissimus dorsi muscle. Analysis of collected data was performed by a statistician. Results: Statistically significant improvement in the dynamometry readings of both the experimental groups were noted when compared to that of the control group. The results of the sEMG activity were variable. Conclusion: The results show that adjusting the area of nerve root supply as well as adjusting the attachment site of the latissimus dorsi muscle are effective treatment protocols (as demonstrated statistically) in increasing strength of the latissimus dorsi muscle. The results suggest that adjusting the attachment site of the latissimus dorsi muscle is most effective in increasing the strength of the latissimus dorsi muscle. The results of the sEMG activity were variable and there were no evidence supporting the effectiveness of adjusting the area of nerve root supply versus adjusting the attachment site ofthe latissimus dorsi muscle on sEMG activity.