Therapy Cervical Spine C0C1 A and B

To palpate the processus transversus of C1, use two fingers of one hand, and for the processus mastoideus, use two fingers of the other hand. To initiate a rotation, a rotational axis is necessary.

This can be achieved by performing a lateral flexion, where compression is applied on one side of C0, and traction on the other side. This action pushes one condyle down, establishing the rotational axis. The other condyle can now move freely to the front or back, resulting in a rotation and flexion or extension of C0.
When the left condyle moves to the posterior, C0 rotates to the left. Combining this with lateral flexion to the right (where the right condyle serves as the rotational axis), flexion occurs, and C0 moves into the A quadrant. On the other hand, if the left condyle moves to the front, it creates a rotation to the right, positioning C0 in the B quadrant.

Have the person sit in a relaxed upright position. Approach the head from the lateral side with the sternum (xyphoid process/incisura) of the therapist and palpate for the os mastoideus from the cranial side. The other hand palpates for the processus transversus of C1. The head, C0, is positioned between the sternum (xyphoid process/incisura) on one side and the therapist's fingers on the other.

The processus transversus of C1 is stabilized as much as possible by the index and middle fingers of the other hand. The therapist's sternum applies compression to the cranium, and the hand at the level of the os mastoideus moves cranially. This induces a shift of C0, causing the convex condylus on the compression side to move medially into the concavity of C1, forming a rotation axis.

The contralateral condylus can now move ventrally, resulting in rotation. Simultaneously, the third parameter is identified: an extension. If a rotation axis is created and the other condylus moves dorsally, the third parameter is also identified here: a flexion. To fully engage the entire chain of movement, have the person look in the same direction as the rotation.