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3.6.2D. Specific technique to increase dorsal flexion with rotation and lateral flex-ion to the right of C2 on C3.

P supine.

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

Starting Position: P: Supine; head beyond end of couch with C3 positioned at couch edge; shoulders and thorax may be stabilized with a belt. T: Standing at head of couch, to the right of P’s head.

Grip: Ts left index finger lies along the spinous and articular processes on the left side of P’s axis (C2). T’s left wrist and forearm support P's head against the left side of T's abdomen. T’s right index finger stabilizes the spinous and articular processes on the left side of C3. T’s right thumb stabilizes the inferior articular process on the right side of C3 (so 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 and P’s head to gradually and fully dorsally flex while rotating and laterally flexing C2 on C3 to the right. T’s left index 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 in the direction just stretched. T resists that movement 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 with the articular facets gliding parallel to one another.

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Fig. 47 a. Starting Position.

Fig. 47 b. Finał Position.