67 (234)

3.7.2A1. Specific technique to increase dorsal flexion with rotation to the right and lateral flexion to the left of C2 on C3.

P sitting. Ventral view; see 3.7.2A2

for dorsal view.

(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, stabilizing P's head against T’s chest and shoulder. T’s right little finger lies along the spinous and left articular and transverse processes of P’s axis (C2) from the dorsal aspect, 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 (so the thumb does not hinder the dorsal glide of the right articular facet of C2 on C3).

Procedurę: Using this grip, T applies traction, and then maintaining this traction. moves his/her body to gradually but not fully dorsally flex while fully rotating to the right and laterally flexing C2 on C3 to the left. Ts 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 upwards, to the right, and rearwards, and then 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.

When the cervical spine is dorsally flexed, rotated to the right and laterally flexed to the left, locking results. Therefore, T must be able to interpret the various types of end feel, see section 1.6.3, p. 9.

The finał position may move the vertebrae into a locked position.

Therefore, T must cautiously use successively smaller forces and movements in approaching the finał position.

The following technique, 3.7.2A2, p. 68 is a dorsal view of the same procedurę.

Fig. 51 a. Starting Position.

Fig. 51 b. Finał Position.