Palpation, fixing in the mind of the palpater the manner and direction of the subluxation, should also suggest as the obvious correction a movement calculated to reverse the procedure by which the subluxation was first produced. In other words, a certain kind of subluxation stands as the effect of a certain application of force along definite lines determinable by examination. Its correction should be made in a reverse direction along the same lines. By recording with the record of subluxation the desired correction, the adjuster may be reminded daily without new palpation of the movement best fitted to the case. If on trial it is decided that some other movement than the one first indicated will better overcome the abnormality, the record should be changed to correspond to the decision, and thereafter followed.
Complete Record
The completed record in three columns separated by dashes can be conveniently read. It contains no superfluous mark of any kind. It conveys all the necessary information leading to adjustment except diagnosis and case history. This palpation record should be a part of a more comprehensive record concerning the case in full and is best kept on a card, the reverse side of which carries case history. If kept in an indexed card file it may be referred to daily without loss of time and an accurate handling of each case be assured.
Have card perfectly blank on palpation record side. For convenience in reading draw a heavy line beneath the last Cervical subluxation recorded and another beneath the last Dorsal, thus dividing the record as the spine is divided, into three divisions.
Below follows a sample palpation record. It will be seen that here in a very small space may be recorded a great deal of information, for this record contains an accurate list of the primary causes of every disease, weakness, or tendency to disease with which the patient is afflicted, together with the methods for their removal.
Sample Record
| C | 1 | R | Break |
| 4 | P L S | Double Contact | |
| 7 | L I | Rotary | |
| ——————————————————— | |||
| D | 3 | P R | Recoil |
| 7 | L S | Pisiform Single Transverse | |
| 10 | P S | Heel Contact | |
| ——————————————————— | |||
| L | 1 | P L I | Recoil |
| 4 | R | Lumbar Single Transverse | |
Use of Record
The above record is made with patient sitting. It is to be used while patient is lying upon the adjusting bench. The most convenient way is to begin palpation in the Dorsal region after patient has been placed for adjustment, in this way. If first subluxation recorded is D 2—P R I, find the vertebra in the region of D 2 which appears P R I to the touch. To avoid error, let the fingers then glide downward to the next recorded subluxation. If this be found to agree in number and direction with the record, it is safe to assume that the first one found was correctly numbered in the palpater’s mind; if not, that an error was made. This can be quickly done. Before each adjustment the vertebra adjusted should be found to agree with the record; by doing this constant accuracy may be assured.