NCCIH is funding three innovative research networks dedicated to unraveling the complexities of force-based manipulations (FBMs) like massage and spinal manipulation.
Under the leadership of Drs. Beth Winkelstein (University of Pennsylvania) and Victor Barocas (University of Minnesota), this network brings together experts from diverse fields to investigate how FBMs may help alleviate back pain, a prevalent and often debilitating condition.
The Force-Based Manipulations Research Network (ForceNet)
Headed by Drs. William Reed (University of Alabama at Birmingham) and Chad Cook (Duke University), this network, also co-funded by NINDS, tackles critical challenges in FBM research, including standardizing force measurement, understanding how force signals are processed by the nervous system, and exploring how factors like individual differences and treatment settings can influence outcomes.
Led by Drs. Ellen Lumpkin (University of California, Berkeley) and Gregory Gerling (University of Virginia), this network, co-funded by NINDS, delves into the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which FBMs impact the nervous system and other tissues, aiming to clarify how these therapies influence pain, healing, and overall well-being.
