How Can a Procedure That's Been Around for 40 Years be Considered Experimental?

Medical science is a field that is continuously modifying and transforming. Little we know, but vast lies unrevealed. The incessant experiments and researches are always assessing new paths and evaluating latest alternatives. This regular process gives birth to various schools in the field of medical science. MUA or Manipulation under Anesthesia is such an outcome of the experimenting process by collaborating two groups of medical science – metaphysical and scientific, ‘straights’ and ‘mixers’.

Manipulation under Anesthesia allies the ancient chiropractic method with the utilization of modern surgical aid of anesthesia. The success rate of this method is 100%. However, the acceptance rate is gradual, but deep. The contradiction and clamor of the different medical orthodox groups and the lack of knowledge among the patients are still pushing it in an experimental stage.

Manipulation under Anesthesia or MUA is manipulation of spinal problems, executed on patients under anesthesia. The procedure has been in use at the 'out patient setting' of hospitals for patients who have failed to response to the other forms of in-office therapy.

The manipulation process undergoes a variety of stages. The area of restriction is determined as the first step (ligaments, joints or muscles). Manual forces are then applied to the constrained area. The observed result is improvement of function in the non-responsive area, along with locomotion and posture progression.

Groups that actively practice MUA are called Chiropractors. In most European countries, MDs and DCs have been practicing spinal manipulative treatment. Still chiropractors are believed to be in the possession of a specific clinical domain. The merging of chiropractors with physicians and hospital medicine staffs has enhanced the credentials of MUA.

Manipulation under anesthesia is a practice that has been around for over 70 years. Still, it is considered an experimental technique. The question naturally arises, how can a procedure that has been around for 40 years be considered experimental?

Manipulation under Anesthesia gained widespread recognition in the 1980s by mainstream medicine practitioners. The list of supporters include the likes of John McM. Mennell (MD), James Cyriax (MD), Scott Haldeman (PhD, MD), Robert S. Francis, DC, PhD, Dean of Clinical Sciences at Texas Chiropractic College (TCC). It was Dr. Francis, who pioneered the entrance of MUA in orthodox health care system.

Continuous studies have shown that Manipulation under Anesthesia has proved to be beneficial for non-responsive patients. Still a number of researches and experiments are taking place to realize the applicability and expansion of the MUA process.

As MUA is a popular Complimentary and Alternative Medicine process, it is still struggling to be accepted by orthodox medical practitioners. Even there are many patients, who still hesitate to seek the complete help of MUA without any MD’s reference. However, the truth is that, various researches from long time back have proved its 100% success rate and it is gradually becoming a popular practice among all kind of doctors. To prove its worth, it is still going through an experimental process.

Jason Tirado
http://www.muamastery.com/