Home PublicationsChiropractic Journal of AustraliaBack Issues: 2000-2009Volume 30 Vol.30 Issue 1

CJA Vol.30 Issue 1

Editorial: Bridging the Knowing-Doing Gap
Mary Ann Chance and Rolf E. Peters

Perceptions: A Case Study of Chiropractic Patients in Eastern Australia
Jennifer R. Jamison

The Effects of Spondylolisthesis on the Lumbar Spine: A Cross-sectional Radiological Survey.
Peter Bull, Ray Hayek, Jennifer Cameron, Jennifer Curzon, Caroline Hurd and Lisa McKee

Developments in the Cranial Field.
Frank 0. Pederick

In Memoriam: Galen R. Price, Herbert Ross Reaver

ABSTRACTS

Perceptions: A Case Study of Chiropractic Patients in Eastern Australia

JENNIFER R.JAMISON

Introduction: There is increasing evidence that perceptions have the potential to influence both behaviour and pathophysiology. It was therefore decided to ascertain the health perceptions of a group of chiropractic patients. Research Methods: A case study of chiropractic patients attending chiropractic clinics and convenience sampling of 210 patients attending these clinics was undertaken. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire in which patients were requested to provide a top-of-mind response to the terms healthy sic nk health information, chiropractic, chiropractor and stress. Thematic analysis was performed.

Results: Most of the patients in this sample reported behaviours conducive to a healthy lifestyle. The major themes to emerge on analysis of patient perceptions were that: patients relate to their own chiropractors rather than chiropractic as a profession, chiropractors are positively viewed and chiropractic focuses on back problems and pain. Although chiropractic patients in this study are most likely to refer to written material for their health information, chiropractors, even when compared to medical practitioners, were seldom selected as health information sources.

Conclusions: Patients regard chiropractic as a valuable limited health profession practised by caring professionals. They do not appear to spontaneously perceive chiropractors as a health information source.

INDEX TERMS: MeSH: CHIROPRACTIC; PATIENTS; PERCEPTION.

Chiropr J Aust 2000; 30: 2-4.

The Elects of Spondylolisthesis on the Lumbar Spine'. A Cross-sectional Radiological Survey

PETER BULL, RAY HAYEK, JENNIFER CAMERON, JENNIFER CURZON, CAROLINE HURD and LISA MCKEE

Objectives: To observe whether a causal relationship exists between an L5/S1 isthmic spondylolisthesis and the symptoms of back pain. This study aimed at demonstrating that the pain from an L5/S1 isthmic spondylolisthesis occurs as a consequence of an alteration in the associated lumbosacral biomechanics rather than directly arising from the presence of the spondylolisthesis.
Design: Cross-sectional survey of the patient records and radiological files in subjects who presented with spondylolisthesis and a grade one isthmic listing at L5/S1 . Setting.. X-rays were collected from Macquarie University outpatient clinics and private practice. Intervention.. Subjects were allocated to group 1 (n = 63) non-spondylolisthesis, group 2 (n = 57) symptomatic, and group 3 (n = 29) asymptomatic spondylolisthesis. Radiological measurements were made from x-rays using a standard protractor to measure the intervertebral disc (IVD) and the sacral base angles (SBA).
Results: A difference (p < 0.01) was observed between the mean SBA for the spondylolisthesis patients and the non-spondylolisthesis patients (ANOVA). The average SBA for the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups was significantly higher (p < 0:01) than the SBA for the non-spondylolisthesis group. The Iumbosacral or 1-5 disc angle for the spondylolisthesis patients was significantly smaller (p < 0.02) compared with non-spondylolisthesis patients. At L4, 88% of the symptomatic patients had hyperextension (+5.97, p < 0.02) compared WITH 66% in asymptomatic patients.
Conclusions: There was a significantly greater incidence of hyperextension at L4/5 in symptomatic spondylolisthesis patients (88%), and the 1-5 disc angle in symptomatic subjects was significantly smaller than the other two groups, which is inconsistent with the trend currently described in the literature. This prevalence of facet hyperextension at L4/5 may represent another model for the symptoms experienced by spondylolisthesis patients.

INDEX TERMS: MeSH: SPONDYLOLISTHESIS; BIO-MECHANICS; CHIROPRACTIC; LOW BACK PAIN. OTHER: FACET; LUMBOSACRAL DISC ANGLE.

Chiropr J Aust 2000;30:5-12.

Developments in the Cranial Field

FRANK O. PEDERICK

The first part of this paper is a detailed review of Leon Chaitow's latest textbook on cranial manipulation. The second part comments on developments in the cranial field using observation on Chaitow's writings as a starting point. The commentary looks at papers relevant to the cranial field which have not been discussed by Chaitow and provides the author's insights into matters he raises, based on information collected over several years, much of it in the past three years via the Internet.

INDEXTERMS: MeSH: CHIROPRACTIC; CRANIAL SUTURES; FASCIA; CEREBROSPINAL FLUID; VASOMOTOR SYSTEM: OTHER: CRANIAL MANIPULATION; CRANIAL MEMBRANE AS CRANIAL RHYTHMIC IMPULSE; TRAUBE-HERING-MAYER WAVES; VASOMOTOR WAVES.

Chiropr J Aust 2000; 30: 13-23.

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