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3.5.2B. Specific techniąue to increase dorsal flexion of the occiput on the atlas.

P sitting. Alternative grip.

Starting Position: P: Sitting; left side of head supported against T's chest. T: Standing facing P's left side.

Grip: The tip of T’s right index finger stabilizes the ventral aspect of the right transverse process of P's atlas. The rest of T’s right index finger and thumb lie along the posterior arch of P’s atlas. T’s left hand grips the right side of P's head with P's chin fixed in the crook of T’s left elbow. P’s head is fixed against T’s chest. T’s left palm is comfortably cupped over P’s ear, with hand and arm posi-tioned to avoid uncomfortable pressure on P’s mandible.

Procedurę: Using this grip, T applies traction, and then maintaining this traction, induces ventral glide of P’s occipital condyles on the atlas while moving his/her body to gradually and fully dorsally flex P’s occiput on the atlas. T moves the condyles of P's occiput on the atlas in the ventral direction.

Stimulation of Antagonists: T retains grip, and asks P to look upwards, thrust chin out, and dorsally flex in the direction just stretched. T resists that movement to stimulate P's antagonists.

Notes: Ideally, T should induce dorsal flexion involving simultaneous and equal right and left occipital condyle ventral glide on the atlas. However, in practice this is possible with P sitting only if T’s hands are large enough to permit simultaneous stabilization of both transverse pro-cesses of the atlas. In most cases, T will be able to stabilize only one side of the atlas at a time.

So to promote the desired occipital condyle ventral glide, T must then treat in two stages, first on P’s right (as shown here), and then on P's left. The procedurę for P’s left is the mirror image of that shown here.

This techniąue may be performed only if mandible, teeth and temporo-mandibular joint can tolerate the force applied.

If T is unable to firmly grip P’s head, the supine techniąue of 3.5.2C, p. 48 may be used.

Fig. 31 a. Starting Position.

Fig. 31 b. Finał Position.