Introduction: Neck and low back pain can impair the proprioceptive system activity. In order to improve proprioceptive input, in addition to other physiotherapy techniques, manipulation and mobilization of soft tissues and joints are used as well. Purpose: The purpose of the study, based on review of local and foreign literature, was to determine the effect of manual techniques on increasing proprioception in normal adults and patients with defects in cervical or lumbar part of the spine. Methods: The literature was searched in Slovene and English language in the time period from 1996 to 2016, with the following key words: pain, neck pain, low back pain, chronic pain, proprioception, proprioceptors, manipulation, manual theraphy, mobilisation, massage, phisiotherapy, rehabilitation in chiropratic care. The literature selection was made using PubMed, COBISS and PEDro database. Results: In the literature review 7 studies were included. In 5 studies authors researched the effects of manual techniques on neck proprioception, in the other 2 studies the effect of manual techniques on lumbar proprioception. The results of experimental groups revealed to be statistically significant in comparison with the results of control groups in all studies, with the exception of one. 3 studies assessed the effects of manual techniques on pain in addition to proprioception. All 3 studies showed a decrease of pain after therapy. Discussion and conclusion: From the results obtained it appears that manual techniques improved proprioception in almost all 7 studies. Subjects were healthy adults or people with defects in cervical or lumbar part of the spine. It would be necessary to conduct or research further studies that would evaluate the effects of manual techniques on the proprioception of people with musculoskeletal injuries, neurological diseases and other pathologies, which allow for proprioceptive impairment. These studies would have to assess proprioception after longer period of time without therapy
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