Spencer Technique of the Hip Demonstrates Equivocal Changes in Hip Range of Motion

Context Hip range of motion plays a crucial role in the functional health of runners. Osteopathic manipulative treatment has historically been used to maintain or restore a joint's range of motion; therefore, this study investigates how the Spencer technique impacts femoroacetabular active range of motion in runners. Objective This study investigated the impact that the bilateral Spencer technique has on all planes of hip motion. Methods Forty participants were randomly divided into treatment and control groups, with the treatment group receiving twice-weekly bilateral Spencer technique for four weeks and the control group receiving no treatment. Both groups were instructed to train as they normally would for the four weeks leading up to a five-kilometer (5K) race. Measurements of hip flexion, extension, internal rotation, external rotation, abduction, and adduction were taken to assess the percent change in range of motion over the course of training, as well as before and after the race, for all planes of motion in treatment vs control groups. Results The only significant difference in average percent change in range of motion for control (n=19) vs treatment groups (n=20) across both treatment and race periods was found for abduction wherein the control group experienced an average change of +7.09% (standard deviation of 17.38%) and the treatment group experienced an average change of -5.58% (standard deviation of 17.48%) for a difference of 12.67% (p=0.03). All other findings for all other motions across both training and race periods showed no statistically significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion This study found that four weeks of twice-weekly treatment with the Spencer technique of the hip had no statistically significant impact on change in hip flexion, extension, internal rotation, external rotation, abduction, and adduction across the four weeks when compared to control. When analyzing the impact of this treatment on the change of these motions across a 5K race occurring at the end of the four weeks, this study found that the Spencer technique of the hip had a statistically significant negative impact on abduction, compared to the control. These findings bring into question the role that the Spencer technique of the hip may have for healthy individuals training for athletic competition and open the door for future research to analyze the effect that this osteopathic technique has on motion in a setting that better controls for differences in training habits.