[Chiropractic in general and in low back pain]. / Kiropraktikk generelt og ved korsryggslidelser.

The practice of chiropractic was for many years regulated by "The Quack Act" in Norway, and the numbers of chiropractors decreased year by year. They are now authorized health care practitioners with academic training; most Norwegian students attending courses in chiropractic or clinical biomechanics go to European universities. An international council ensures reciprocity and a quality assured academic programme in all recognized colleges of chiropractic. Recent research have broadened our understanding of the biomechanical interrelationship between the nervous system, the musculature and the skeletal articulations. In the early 1990s, several studies documented favourable effect of chiropractic treatment of low back disorders. These studies are now substantiated by new studies, especially concerning cost-effectiveness. Several reports also give evidence that chiropractic manipulation is beneficial especially in combination with light exercise. There are conflicting results concerning the efficacy of varying types of exercise programmes. Patients may benefit from increased cooperation between medical doctors and chiropractors. Most acute low back syndromes should be assessed by the chiropractor in order to prevent chronic illness.

[Physiotherapy as manual therapy]. / Fysioterapi som manuell terapi.

Manual therapy includes methods where the therapist's hands are used to stretch, mobilize or manipulate the spinal column, paravertebral structures or extremity joints. The aims of these methods are to relieve pain and improve function. In Norway only specially qualified physiotherapists and chiropractors are authorized to perform manipulation of joints (high velocity thrust techniques). To become a qualified manual therapist in Norway one must have a minimum of two years of clinical practice as physiotherapist followed by two year full time postgraduate training in manual therapy (a total of six years). Historically the Norwegian manual therapy system was developed in the 1950s by physiotherapists and medical doctors in England (James Cyriax and James Mennell) and Norway. As a result doctors allowed physiotherapists to use manipulation as a treatment method of both spinal and peripheral joints. In 1957 the Norwegian health authorities introduced reimbursement for manual therapy performed by physiotherapists.

Spinal manipulation in China.

BACKGROUND: Although there is a long history of the use spinal manipulation in China, little has been formally written on this topic. OBJECTIVE: To discuss the history and status of Chinese spinal manipulation. DISCUSSION: This article describes the history of Chinese spinal manipulation as revealed through past formal textbook publications on this topic, along with journal articles describing both the basic science foundation and clinical applications of such manipulation. In addition, the current status of Chinese spinal manipulation is described. CONCLUSION: There is a long history of the use of spinal manipulation throughout China, though some basic problems of application remain. Current research may help to resolve these problems.