The Effects of OMT on the Expression Patterns of Immune Cell Biomarkers

This study intends to understand the effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) on the expression patterns of 60 immune cell biomarkers in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of each participant, before and after intervention - OMT or seated control. This study will utilize participants with a history of low back pain (LBP), and will identify and validate those immune cell biomarkers that change in most participants after OMT, by using the novel protein subcellular localization (PSL) microarray technology. This study intends to uncover the important immune cells affected by OMT techniques, therefore to uncover the molecular mechanisms of OMT.

The study will be conducted over the course of one year. Forty men and women ages 20 to 55 years with at least one or more episodes of LBP in the past two weeks will be randomly assigned into one of two groups - control or OMT groups. Twenty participants will be assigned to each group. The study will begin recruitment in September 2017. Participants will be recruited from the surrounding Kirksville area. Individuals who cannot tolerate OMT or have coagulation disorders will be excluded. Potential participants will be excluded from the study if they have had nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication in the 48 hours prior to the study or if they have had corticosteroids in the 2 weeks prior to the study.

Participants will be randomly assigned into two groups, control or OMT using a random number generator. Males and females will be randomized separately to ensure equal distribution into the two study groups. Demographics including sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) will be collected on all participants. All participants will receive two blood draws,with 8 ml each draw: first blood draw immediately prior to intervention and second blood draw following the intervention.

The OMT treatment will begin with a brief physical examination to identify somatic dysfunction that the treating physician judges to be relevant to the individual participant's low back pain. OMT will be performed to improve the somatic dysfunctions that the treating physicians finds most relevant. The types of OMT techniques used will include muscle energy, articular, or high velocity-low amplitude (HVLA) as indicated by the physical findings and will be at the discretion of the treating physician. Additional techniques such as still, counter strain, facilitated positional release, balanced ligamentous tension, and cranial techniques may also be used at the discretion of the treating physician. The treatment will conclude with 2 minutes of pedal lymphatic pumping technique. The total treatment time will not to exceed 20 minutes.

The control group will wait in another room for approximately 30 minutes. To encourage participation in the proposed study, participants who are assigned to the control group will have an opportunity to receive OMT after the second blood draw.

The investigators shall determine the expression patterns of 60 immune cell biomarkers in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of the study participants, and determine the ratio change of those 60 biomarkers, after the OMT treatment. The investigators shall compare the effects of OMT treatment on the ratio change of those 60 biomarkers, with those in the control group.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* experienced at least one or more episodes of LBP in the past two weeks
* BMI (body mass index) \< 30 kg/m2
* be able to lie on my back for 30 minutes
* be able to tolerate OMT

Exclusion Criteria

* Have spinal manipulation in the 48 hours prior to the study date
* Have corticosteroids in the 2 weeks prior to the study date
* Have nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication in the 48 hours prior to the study data
* Have spinal surgery in the lumbar or low thoracic spine
* Have congenital deformities of the lumbar spine such as spina bifida