Diagnostics Cervical Spine C0C1 – C2
Passive Rotation

Guide the person to sit in an upright, comfortable position, with feet on the floor and hands relaxed on the lap. Begin by palpating for the processus spinosus of C2, the first one encountered when palpating downward from the os occiput. Upon locating C2, gently move the finger and thumb sideways to 'fixate' C2. Fixation involves gently holding the arcus of C2 to discern when and how the joint play in C1 and C2 reaches its limit.

By passively rotating the head (C0 and C1), you can sense when the movement is impeded by the fixated C2 in one direction. Conversely, you can feel the arcus of C2 moving forward in the other direction, allowing C1 to rotate freely. This mechanism is a result of the unique concave form of both C1 and C2. A dorsal movement of the upper vertebra is only possible when the lower vertebra has the opportunity to move forward.

Limited joint play in C1-C2 joints, indicating reduced movement in the frontal direction of the arcus of C2, can impact the complete Free Range of Movements (ROM) of the head (C0) and C1 in daily life. This limitation may be due to pathology within the joint itself, hindering free movement in that direction, or the individual's inability to use the joint in that movement, leading to compensatory movements by other joints to achieve goals like looking over their shoulder or looking up.

It's essential to recognize that a movement is not isolated to a single joint; rather, multiple joints work together to achieve the desired goal. Many joints collectively contribute to a goal-oriented movement, requiring the right speed, direction, and positioning of all joints. As movements of the head are intricately linked to positioning the 'antennas' for looking, listening, and smelling, both actively and passively performed movements should be accompanied by positioning the eyes in the same direction. This is crucial for decreasing and increasing tension in the muscles of the upper part of the cervical spine (m. semispinalis capitis, m. obliquus capitis superior, m. obliquus capitis inferior, m. rectus capitis posterior major, m. rectus capitis posterior minor, m. rectus capitis lateralis, m. rectus capitis anterior, m. longus capitis).