Part 25

On the hand the contact may be said to vary, according to the direction of subluxation and position of adjuster, so as to describe a circle around the pisiform in the course of the various changes of position necessary to the use of this movement. No error could be greater than to attempt to use always the same face of the pisiform and to adapt the position of hands and arms to this end, when any face or aspect of the little bone is equally good with any other.

Which Hand Used

When standing on patient’s right use left hand for palpating hand and right hand for contact with the vertebra, using left hand again to grip and reinforce the contact hand. Exception to this is made by introducing an extra change of hands with C 6, or 7, D 1, L 4 or 5, and Sacrum. The change is necessitated by the insecurity of the usual position or the fact that it cramps the wrist of contact hand. To make the change: palpate as usual, hold subluxation with second finger of palpating hand, substitute second finger of other hand and withdraw palpating hand, which is then free to make the contact.

When standing on left side exactly reverse the use of hands. Palpate with the same hand which would be used if patient were sitting. Introduce no unnecessary move into the placing of the hands. This will be found to produce better results than any other technic for this portion of the move.

Delivery of Force

In using this movement it is perhaps best to deliver nearly equal force with both hands; certainly whatever forces are released by the arms should be simultaneous. It is possible, however, to allow one arm to preponderate in the movement without marring its efficiency, but the amateur adjuster will do well to balance his forces at first.

Speed and Concentration

Speed is a prime essential. By its employment a very ordinary amount of muscular strength can be made to accomplish a large amount of work and very difficult adjustments may be accomplished.

Concentration of mind at the instant of adjustment, so as to secure muscular control and perfect co-ordination of the two arms as well as to direct and concentrate the forces used at a given and strictly limited area, is also essential.

Uses

For ordinary adjustments of Dorsal or Lumbar subluxations, excepting the middle four Dorsals, for breaking ankyloses by repeated applications of force, and for overcoming muscular resistance in patients who are unable to relax at all, this form or style of adjusting is probably the best. It is most useful in the Dorsals. In many instances Lumbar vertebrae will move better by application of a slightly slower force, especially if a roll is used. The Recoil may be used with the roll.

While it is easily possible to move any Cervical in this way, making no change in the technic except to use the ulnar side of the fifth metacarpal bone for the contact instead of the pisiform, it is inadvisable in most cases above the sixth, and in some instances absolutely unpardonable. The shock to the nervous system and the danger of moving two or more vertebrae or of subluxating a normal one are too great. In at least one instance hemiplegia instantly followed the use of this move on the Axis, and headaches and nerve exhaustion are frequent sequelae.

For these reasons it is probably best never to use “The Recoil” above the sixth Cervical. For every form of subluxation there is an easier and safer mode of correction.

Name

This has been called “The Recoil” because of a belief that if force be applied to a vertebra in the form of a very rapidly transmitted shock the vertebra will rebound to the shock and settle in its normal position, the intelligence within the body utilizing the force thus blindly applied to bring about this result.

This belief is erroneous. First the vertebra and all surrounding tissues are misshapen to fit their abnormal position and relation and this shape gives them a tendency, if rapidly loosened, to settle into the old abnormal position. Second, there is no such conscious intelligence which has power to replace a subluxated vertebra. If this supposition were correct, then the Innate Intelligence would do well to utilize those jars and shocks which ordinarily produce subluxation to bring about normality and keep the spine perfectly aligned.

There is no such internal rebound or recoil as stated above. The chief value of the movement lies in its speed, according to principles equally applicable to other moves, and in accord with the Law of Momentum.

Sources of Information

This movement as described above contains many essential principles which follow Parker and Palmer, developers of “The Recoil,” but the technic is considerably modified to suit the author’s own views. It cannot be claimed, therefore, that this is “The Recoil” as now taught by Palmer, since the chief stress is here laid upon the movement of the vertebra in a predetermined direction and not upon the withdrawal of the hands to let “Innate” do the work. The name “Recoil” is really inappropriate for the move as described.

THE HEEL CONTACT

A movement for the adjustment of posterior, postero-superior, or postero-inferior subluxations in the Dorsal region (except middle four) and in the Lumbar. May also be used for postero-laterals when laterality is very slight. Given with patient in position B. Contact point, heel of hand with spinous process.

Heel Contact

By the “heel of the hand” is here meant the depression between the scaphoid and pisiform bones. This hollow forms a natural receiver for a spinous process and thus avoids lateral slipping.

The four fingers of adjusting hand are spread out and anchored upon the patient’s body. The wrist is held at a right angle to hand and the arm straightened, the elbow being outrotated until it “locks,” that is until it will move no farther. The other hand grasps the wrist of the adjusting hand.

Adjusting Hand

The rule is to use the right hand for adjusting hand if standing on patient’s right and palpating with left, or to use left hand if on left side and palpating with right. The fingers are to be directed toward the patient’s feet. Exception to this rule is made with the last two Lumbars, where it is more convenient to change hands and direct the fingers toward the head.

Movement

This is given almost entirely with adjusting arm; that is, with the arm whose hand is in contact with the vertebra. The supporting hand serves merely to guide the force to a definite point as if a straight rod were working through a fixed circlet. Indeed, the force in this movement is delivered almost straight down from the shoulder. Shoulder should be dropped well out of its socket so as to secure play for a sudden downward movement without raising the hand from its contact. If the shoulder is stiff or the head of the humerus remains in the glenoid cavity the movement cannot be properly given without raising the hand. Movement is quick, sharp, and deep, i. e., directed to the center of mass of the vertebra.