Mintken studied people with shoulder pain between the ages of 18-65 to see if any factors could predict a good response to cervical and thoracic manipulation. Using a program of 1 -3 sessions of both cervical and thoracic manipulations and home exercise, the following factors were predictive of improvement in pain in 61% of those studied:
- Pain-free shoulder flexion < 120˚
- Shoulder internal rotation < 53˚ @ 90˚ of abduction
- Negative Neer’s Test
- Not taking medications for their shoulder pain
- Symptoms < 90 days
Mintken PE, Cleland JA, Carpenter KJ, Bieniek ML, Keirns M, Whitman JM. Some Factors Predict Short-Term Outcomes in Individuals with Shoulder Pain Receiving Cervicothoracic Manipulation: A Single-Arm Trial. Phys Ther.2010; 90(1): 26-42.
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