A pilot study to determine the effects of a supine sacroiliac orthopedic blocking procedure on cervical spine extensor isometric strength

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine if an orthopedic pelvic blocking procedure affects cervical spine extensor isometric strength.MethodsTwenty-two participants were sequentially assigned into treatment and control groups. Treatment consisted of a 2-minute procedure using orthopedic blocks (padded wedges with a 45° incline) that were placed bilaterally under the ilia as determined by leg length assessment. Isometric strength measurements took place in 2 sessions with a day of rest between. The treatment group received therapy at the second session immediate to postisometric measures.ResultsOutcome measures were the pre- and posttreatment measurements of cervical isometric extension strength in pounds. The t tests showed no statistically significant difference between groups in isometric extension strength before treatment. One-way analysis of variance demonstrated a significant difference between groups after treatment (F1,21 = 7.174, P = .014). The treatment group demonstrated an average increase of 6.35 (8.18) lb in extensor strength.ConclusionsThe current study showed a statistically significant change in cervical isometric extensor strength after sacroiliac joint blocking.