Effect of a single-session osteopathic manipulation of dysfunctional caudal cervical vertebrae in non-lame sport horses

This study evaluated the effects of a single, one time off osteopathic manipulation on parameters of cervical osteopathic functional assessment and locomotion in non-lame sport horses with decreased performance due to cervico-vertebral dysfunction. Twenty-seven sport horses with caudal cervical dysfunction were randomly allocated to treatment (n = 19) or control (n = 8) groups. Osteopathic evaluation scoring and objective gait analysis using inertial measurement units were performed at walk, trot, and canter before and at 15 min, 3 days, and 15 days post-treatment. Results were analysed using generalised linear mixed models. Osteopathic manipulation significantly reduced the number of cervical osteopathic fixations (OF) in the treatment group compared to controls (P < 0.001). Cervical pain and muscle tone scores also decreased significantly in the treatment group compared to controls (P < 0.01). Gait analysis revealed improved protraction of the hindlimb on the most affected side (78 % of the horses) during straight-line trot and of the frontlimb during lunging toward the direction of the most affected side, with protraction values changing from (median and range) 28.24° (27.37–29.14) pre-treatment to 26.53° (25.64–27.45) at 3 days and 27.11° (26.34–27.86) at 15 days post-treatment (P < 0.05). There were no asymmetries consistent with lameness and no lameness scored by visual lameness assessment before nor after treatment. A single osteopathic cervical manipulation produced measurable improvements in both gait parameters and cervical osteopathic functional assessment scores (including ROM and presence of fixations), without causing further asymmetries, demonstrating therapeutic benefits for horses with caudal cervico-vertebral dysfunction. Further research with repeated treatments and long term benefits are warranted. • Single cervical manipulation in sport horses improved dysfunction, reduced pain, and decreased muscle tone for 15 days. • Cervical manipulation increased front limb protraction on affected side during lunging, demonstrating improved mobility. • Nine inertial measurement units provided objective parameters for evaluating osteopathic manipulation effects on gait. • Biomechanical improvements were most evident in circular movement, with enhanced limb flexibility after manipulation.