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3.6.2A. Specific technique to increase dorsal flexion with rotation and lateral flex-ion 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 Ts right shoulder and chest. T: Standing facing P’s right side.

Grip: P’s occiput is stabilized between T’s right hand and 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. Ts 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 (so that the thumb does not 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 to gradually and fully dorsally flex while rotating and laterally flexing 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 slightly ventrally.

Stimulation of Antagonists: T retains grip, and asks P to look to the right, rearwards and downwards, and to move his/her head further in the direction just stretched. T resists that move-ment to stimulate P’s antagonists.

Notes: When moving the left articular facet of C2 slightly ventrally, the right articular facet moves slightly dorsally.

To avoid compressing the right articular facets, lateral flexion to the right should always be preceded by rotation to the right such that the articular facets glide parallel to one another.

Fig. 44 b. Finał Position.