The record of spinal palpation, when completed, should be an accurate history of the irregularities found in the spine and an accurate guide to adjustment. It must be brief and concise as well as readily comprehensible. One should be able to see at a glance any desired point on the record, so that it may be used during the adjustment without undue loss of time or attention. Obviously the introduction of any useless mark or sign, such as the inclusion of a number and blank space for each vertebra of the spine, or all possible subluxations with indications as to which do or do not exist in the given case, is a mistake.
The record should contain three parallel columns. In the first column place the number of the vertebra chosen for adjustment. In the second, place the direction of subluxation. In the third, place the word or sign which stands for the indicated movement for correction.
Number of Vertebra
The letter C is used to indicate Cervical, D Dorsal, L Lumbar, and S Sacrum in the record. Immediately following the letter which designates the region, place the number which shows the position in that region occupied by the vertebra in question, the relation of that vertebra to its fellows. For instance, the third Cervical vertebra is C 3, the eleventh Dorsal D 11. To the S for Sacrum append B or A to indicate that the Base or Apex is described as to position. This locates the subluxation. For a record of full spine palpation it is unnecessary to use the letters C, D, or L more than once, as subluxations are recorded in the order of their occurrence from above downward. A dash should always follow the number of the vertebra to separate it from the letters in the second column for convenience in reading.
Direction of Subluxation
The directions considered in palpating or recording subluxations are six in number, namely:
| Name | Abbreviation | Meaning |
| Posterior | P | Toward the rear (Dorsad) |
| Anterior | A | Toward the front (Ventrad) |
| Right | R | Toward the right hand |
| Left | L | Toward the left hand |
| Superior | S | Toward the head (Cephalad) |
| Inferior | I | Toward the feet (Caudad) |
As the fingers glide down the spine the posterior vertebra is the one which interposes itself in the path of the fingers, forcing them to describe an outward curve. It is the hill on the automobile road which forces the surmounting of a curved departure from the evenness of the road. It is relatively posterior to its fellows above and below.
The anterior vertebra, to the gliding fingers, means a depression, a valley. It causes the fingers to dip inward from the level of their course.