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3.7.2B. Specific techniąue to increase dorsal flexion with rotation to the right and lateral flexion to the left 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 at couch edge; shoulders and thorax may be stabilized with a belt. T: Standing athead of couch to the right of P's head.

Grip: Ts left index finger lies along the spinous, articular and transverse processes on the left side of P’s axis (C2) from the dorsal aspect. Ts left wrist and forearm support P’s head against the left sideofTs abdomen. The radial aspect of T’s right index finger stabilizes the right transverse process and the right inferior articular processes of C3. Or, for greater stability and ease of grip, T’s right index finger stabilizes the left side of the spinous process and the left inferior articular processes of C3, and Ts right thumb stabilizes the right inferior articular process and the right transverse process of C3. Ts right index finger or right thumb should not hinder the dorsal glide of the right C2 facet 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 fiexing C2 on C3 to the left. Ts 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 upwards, to the right, and rearwards, and then 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.

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

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

Fig. 53 a. Starting Position.

Fig. 53 b. Finał Position.