Technic and Practice of Chiropractic

by Joy Maxwell Loban

THE GROUP METHOD

In general palpation of the spine the author has had the greatest success and attained the greatest accuracy through which is called the Group Method. This consists in dividing the spine mentally into five groups or sections, each of which overlaps its fellows except the end groups. This is of advantage for several reasons.

It limits somewhat the attention of the palpater so that he may examine thoroughly and in detail the various vertebrae without holding his attention so closely to one that he fails to perceive its relation to its surroundings. It furnishes five or six vertebrae at a time for comparison so that one may determine which is most subluxated, and therefore most in need of adjustment, and then allows one to reason upon the remainder of the group with this major subluxation in mind.

The use of the Group Method may best be understood by the study of certain didactic instructions, which follow:

Never record or adjust two subluxations of contiguous vertebrae except in those unusual cases where they are equally subluxated and in the same direction; even then it is wisest to adjust them on alternate days. Let it be understood that only in exceptional circumstances should two adjacent vertebrae be listed. The Group Method is chiefly valuable because of this rule, to prevent the overlooking of the most important subluxation by selecting that one first.

Consider the spine as divisible into five groups; in the first group belong the Cervicals below the Atlas; in the second, the seventh Cervical and first five Dorsals; in the third, the vertebrae from the fourth to the eighth Dorsals inclusive; in the fourth, the last five Dorsals and sometimes first Lumbar; and in the last group, all of the Lumbars and the base of the Sacrum. Consider the first Sacral spinous process here rather than the whole Sacrum and remember that this process should seem to complete the regular Lumbar curve. This grouping may be modified somewhat by the exigencies of palpation in any given case, but the group considered should always include from four to seven vertebrae.

In each group proceed in the same manner to select subluxations. Let the fingers glide over the group, first on the tips and then along the sides of the spinous processes, and note that some one vertebra stands out as the sharpest, most abrupt deviation in the group, thus indicating its selection. Remember that neither the one above this nor the one directly below may be adjusted. This narrows your field of observation for this group to two, three, or four remaining vertebrae.

Select then such others in the group as need to be listed yet do not conflict with the rule against adjacent subluxations. Proceed to discover and record the exact direction of each. When this is done examine the next lower group in the same way and continue until the whole spine has been palpated.

The Atlas must be considered alone and not as a part of any of the above mentioned groups and its position is judged rather by its relation to the head than to other vertebrae; the Sacrum also requires individual attention, being compared with the Lumbar curve and with the ilia.

The one most pronounced subluxation in a group is often mentioned as the “key” to the group, since its correction would effectually loosen the entire group and sometimes partially correct the apparent abnormalities of the rest. It has also been called “major subluxation” to distinguish it from “minor subluxations” which are the others of less importance in the group. This term is not a good one because it suggests what is not always true, namely, that the mechanically greatest subluxation is more potent than any other. Occasionally a slighter subluxation irritates nerves so as to produce a disease more serious and immediately alarming than the condition following the greater displacement.

Example of Group Method

If, in the Cervicals, it is noticed upon gliding downward over the spinous processes that the fifth is badly subluxated and must be adjusted, this fact is held in mind for a moment while the palpater remembers that he cannot adjust and must not list the sixth or fourth. This leaves only the second, third and seventh for consideration, the Atlas having been separately examined. The seventh may best be included in the next group when such a selection is made, so that the palpater need only decide between the second and third Cervical, providing Atlas has not been chosen, as to which, if either, most requires attention. If Atlas has been listed, then there remains instead only the question as to whether the third is or is not subluxated.

In using the Group Method no preference is given to subluxation in any particular direction, save only that below the Cervicals we discriminate against the anteriors, because we cannot adjust them. The Group Method has to do with determining the points of greatest pressure on nerves and this depends upon one’s impression as to the interrelations between all the members of the group. (See [p. 80] under [Subluxations.)]