41 (472)

3.3.2A. Specific techniąue to increase ven-tral flexion with rotation and lateral flexion to the right of C2 on C3.

P sitting.

(T “working” specifically on the left side of C2).

Starting Position: P: Sitting; right side of head supported against T’s right shoulder and chest. T: Standing facing P’s right side.

Grip: T's right hand grips the left side of P’s occiput, with P’s head fixed against Ts chest and shoulder. T’s right little finger lies along the spinous and left articular processes of P’s axis (C2), parallel to the articular facets between C2 and C3. T’s left index finger stabilizes the spinous and articular processes on the left side of C3. T’s left thumb stabilizes the inferior articular process on the right side of C3 (positioned so as not to hinder the dorsal caudal glide of the right C2 facet).

Procedurę: Using this grip, T applies traction, and then maintaining this traction, moves his/her body with P’s head to gradually and fully ventrally flex while rotating and laterally fłexing C2 on C3 to the right. T’s right little finger, “working” on the left side of C2, pulls the left articular process of C2 cranially and ventrally.

Stimulation of Antagonists: T retains grip. T then asks P to look downward to the right, and then move his/her head further in the direction of stretching. T resists that movement to stimulate P's antagonists.

Notes: When moving the left articular facet of C2 cranially and ventrally (as in ventral flexion), the right articular facet moves caudally and dorsally (as in dorsal flexion).

To prevent compression of the right articular facets, lateral flexion to the right should always be preceded by rotation to the right with the articular facets gliding parallel to each other.

Pis best positioned supine for “working” on right side (see following therapy, 3.3.2B. p. 42.)

Fig. 25 a. Starting Position.