Mechanisms of Manual Therapy
Title of Opportunity:
Mechanisms of Manual Therapy
Faculty Mentor:
William Reed, Dc, PhD
Department:
Physical Therapy
Contact:
Dr. Ted Bertrand,
Position Availability:
Fall 2018
Description:
The focus of my research laboratory is to study peripheral and central mechanisms of spinal manipulation and spinal mobilization. How do these therapeutic interventions work to alleviate pain and restore physical function? We use animal models to determine behavioral and cellular changes in the brain, spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion in various pain models.
Objectives:
(Student activity in the lab would primarily consist of the following activities)- Complete all necessary online training courses related to working in an animal laboratory.
- Prepare, Analyze and Score video-recorded animal pain behavior (Rat Grimace Scale;
see Figure 2). Enter behavioral data into Excel spreadsheets. - Perform certain behavioral and/or physiological testing procedures, as well as literature searches on topics relevant to ongoing laboratory animal studies.
Other Objective Possibilities:
Depending on several factors, students may also get the opportunity to prepare (cut) brain, spinal cord and DRG tissue for immunohistochemistry staining and/or measure tissue staining intensities using an immunofluorescence microscope.