Thus the abdomen and the lower part of the thorax are suspended between sections. Under them an abdominal support may be used but it must have the quality of elasticity in a high degree and must lie always below the plane of the other two sections or it will interfere with a perfect adjustment.
For adjustment of the last two Cervicals or any Dorsal down to the sixth, it is best to turn patient’s head toward the direction of the subluxation. This curves that section of the spine into an arc toward the convex side of which movement may be made more easily than toward the concave.
The patient’s hands may lie under the table, loosely, or may reach back and rest upon the buttocks, palm upward. Whichever position secures best relaxation is to be used in any case.
This movement may be used with the roll. (See [Fig. 30] and [p. 285].)
Fig. 21. After palpation. Finger ready to guide contact hand to a spinous process.
Position of Adjuster
Stand on either side of patient, feet apart for base and poise. The direction of the feet and position of body will vary according to the direction of the adjustment, by the following two rules:
Rule 1. For movement of a vertebra away from the side on which you stand, place your arms and hands in such a position that the pisiform bone of adjusting hand, both elbows, and both shoulder joints (shoulders being dropped loosely forward) will fall in the same plane and that the plane of direction in which the vertebra is to be moved. In other words, let the force be applied in a line straight from your body through the vertebra. Always shift your feet to a proper position from which to direct the movement.
Rule 2. To move a vertebra toward the side on which you stand, step close to patient’s body and support yourself with one knee against the adjusting table at the most convenient point. Then place arms so that contact point, elbows, shoulders, and the mid-point of the body’s base, between the feet, are all in the same plane. This insures balance during and after the movement and is the attitude from which the greatest and most carefully measured force can be delivered.