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3.5.5B.

Non-specific technique for the deep ventral muscles to increase dorsal flexion

(mainly the longus colli at C2 on

C3).

P supine.

Starting Position: P: Supine; head and neck beyond end of couch; shoulders and thorax may be stabilized with a belt. T: Standing or sitting at head of couch.

Grip: T’s right index finger and thumb grip P’s axis (C2). T’s right wrist and forearm support P’s head. T’s left hand grips under P’s chin (without pressing on the larynx).

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 Pto look upwards and backwards, and then move head and cervical spine in the direction just stretched. T resists that movement to stimulate P’s antagonists.

Notę: To obtain a morę specihc effect, P’s occiput, atlas and axis (C2) are hrmly held between T’s right hand and shoulder with T’s left hand stabilizing C3 (see grip of therapy 3.2.4B, p. 37).

When treating the segments caudal to C3, T’s right hand grips the cranial vertebra of the segment treated, and T’s left hand stabilizes the caudal vertebra. For ease of grip and efhciency of treatment, T may position the segments cranial to C3 in ventral flexion.

Fig. 39 a. Starting Position.

Fig. 39 b. Finał Position.

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