Making Contact
Palpate downward from the Atlas transverse along the posterior margin of the sterno-mastoid, dipping deeply into the neck and exploring with the tips of the first three fingers until the offending process is felt as a nodule of bone plainer to the touch than those above and below. Always reach across the neck to the selected transverse; if it be the right, stand on the patient’s left and use left hand for palpating and for contact hand as well.
Having found the process, gently move aside any tissues which tend to interpose between the finger and the bone, change hands so that the palpating hand is free and the other holds the contact spot clear of interposed tissue and plainly points it out, then place pisiform bone of contact hand gently but firmly against the front of the process so that a mass of bone is felt between the pisiform and the bench when downward pressure is made.
Completing Position
It will be noted here that the head is unstable and tends to rock with slight pressure or movement of the contact hand. Steady the head by placing the knee upon head of bench and against side of patient’s head, not roughly but so that the head cannot move further toward the adjuster.
Now reinforce the contact hand by gripping the wrist with the other, press slightly downward to tighten the contact and avoid slipping, and you are ready for
The Movement
which is directed sharply downward toward the bench. This move rotates the vertebra around its vertical axis and puts a strain in a backward direction on the whole column at this point.
Care must be used, because the move at best is painful. It is easy to slip across the end of the transverse. Take every precaution to avoid imprisoning a muscle, nerve, or blood-vessel between the contact hand and the vertebra. Rightly used this move is valuable, perhaps most valuable of all anterior Cervical moves, but it requires nice judgment.