title: Intended and non-intended kinematic effects of atlanto-axial rotational high-velocity, low-amplitude techniques.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The study of neck kinematics during high-velocity, low-amplitude manipulations of the atlanto-axial segment is essential to understanding cervical motion mechanisms and their impact and possible risk for soft-tissue injuries during treatment of spine disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty fresh-frozen specimens were tested during manual application of an axial rotation technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The kinematics indicate the thrust induced motion components of approximately 1° at the treated segment around all three axes of the local embedded reference frame. Moreover, an equal amount of axial rotation motion took place at the adjacent atlanto-occipital joint.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall atlanto-axial motion remained below the level of slow regional mobilization of the cervical spine. These findings can be correlated to literature data concerning the limited increase in vertebral artery strain during high-velocity, low-amplitude manipulation.
authors.affiliation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Experimental Anatomy, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: ecattrys@vub.ac.be.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cattrysse
authors.affiliation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Experimental Anatomy, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gianola
authors.affiliation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Experimental Anatomy, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Provyn
authors.affiliation: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Department of Experimental Anatomy, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Van Roy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D001270:Cervical Atlas / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020393:Manipulation, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012307:Risk Factors; D012399:Rotation
keywords: HVLA; atlanto-axial; kinematics; motion analysis