The fibrosis release technique

Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) is the art, science and practice of the non-operative restoration of the function of bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments while the patient is under a gentle "twilight" anesthesia.  This fibrosis release technique is applied to the spine, hips, shoulders and knees.

MUA is a non-invasive procedure increasingly offered for acute and chronic conditions, including: neck pain, back pain, joint pain, muscle spasm, shortened muscles, fibrous adhesions and long term pain syndromes. It is generally considered safe and is utilized to treat pain arising from the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine as well as the sacroiliac and pelvic regions. Manipulation under anesthesia uses a combination of specific short lever manipulations, passive stretches and specific articular and postural kinesthetic maneuvers in order to break up fibrous adhesions and scar tissue around the spine and surrounding tissue

Your MUA team includes the anesthesiologist, the prime physician/surgeon/chiropractor who performs the manipulation, and the first assistant, also a physician/chiropractor certified in manipulation under anesthesia. The procedure is commonly performed in a hospital or surgical center.

Why manipulation under anesthesia?

When conservative care i.e. medication, chiropractic care, and pain management, have reached the point of no beneficial return or symptoms have reached a plateau.  MUA should be considered as the next logical step in your treatment!

Before your MUA procedure

First your MUA team will ensure you are a candidate for the procedure by reviewing your medical history. A medical workup will performed as is normal in any medical procedure where anesthesia is to be used. Once medical clearance is obtained, your team will review with you the procedure and answer any questions you may have.  

 

The MUA procedure

The Manipulation under anesthesia procedure is performed using monitored anesthesia care with Diprivan® (Propofol) and Versed as the anesthesia.  The patient is taken through passive cervical/thoracic and lumbar ranges of motion in flexion, lateral flexion and rotation. Specific spinal manipulation is performed when the elastic barrier of resistance and segmental end range of motion is achieved. Then stretching of the paraspinal and surrounding supportive musculature is performed to promote cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and lumbopelvic flexibility in conjunction with attempting to restore proper kinetic motion. The patient is then awakened from the anesthesia which usually occurs just minutes after the  Diprivan® is stopped. The patient is then taken to recovery and monitored until full recovery has occurred.