Modic change is a term used to describe alterations to the vertebral endplate and body related to spinal degeneration. In a recent study, researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and outcome data from 44 patients with a cervical disk herniation to evaluate their response to spinal manipulative therapy (SMT). The researchers found that even though patients with modic changes reported higher pain and disability than those without signs of degeneration, they still benefited from a course of SMT. The findings support the use spinal manipulation in the management of patients with degenerative changes in the spine.
Journal of Manipulation and Therapeutics, September 2016