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3.5.4A.

Non-specific technique for the super-ficial ventral muscles to increase dorsal flexion (C2 and caudal ver-tebrae).

P sitting.

Starting Position: P: Sitting; upper thoracic region well supported. T: Standing facing P’s left side.

Grip: Ts left hand grips the right side of P’s head with P’s chin fixed in crook of Ts left elbow. P’s head is fixed firmly between T’s left hand and chest. T’s left palm cups comfortably over P’s right ear, with hand and arm positioned to avoid uncomfortable pressure on P’s mandible. T’s right hand stabilizes the upper thoracic region of P’s back.

Fig. 36 a. Starting Position.

Procedurę: Using this grip, T applies traction, and then maintaining this traction, moves his/her body to gradually and fully dorsally flex P’s cervical spine.

Stimulation of Antagonists: T retains grip, and asks P to look upwards and rearwards, and then move head and cervical spine in the direction just stretched. T resists that movement to stimulate P’s antagonists.

Notes: P’s thoracic spine can be morę easily stabilized by using a chair as a back support, which also stabilizes the sternum, clavicles and the first ribs.

Test for necessity of stretching the superficial ventral muscles: See if P has less cervical spine dorsal flexion with his/her mouth closed than with it open.

Fig. 36 b. Finał Position.

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