Can some physical therapy and manual techniques generate potentially osteogenic levels of strain within mammalian bone?

Abstract

Background and Purpose. Although physical therapy techniques are used to alleviate pain and stiffness in joint injuries, whether these methods are capable of affecting bone is unknown. For example, can these techniques potentially influence bone formation or resorption? To begin exploring this possibility', this study investigated the ability of 4 manual techniques to generate levels of compressive strains that presumably can stimulate bone metabolism. Subjects. Six 3,4 metacarpals from three 3-year-old Merino ewes were used. Methods. A rosette strain gauge was implanted onto the dorsomedial cortex of each ovine 3,4 metacarpal. Four different manual procedures were applied on 2 occasions on ..