The classic cervical syndrome Detecting Cervical Subluxations Photo 1: Contacts for the Cervial Syndrome are displayed on the skeletal model. Dr. John Minardi is a 2001 graduate of Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. A Thompson-certified practi-tioner and instructor, he is the cre-ator of the Thompson Technique Seminar Series and author of The Complete Thompson Textbook – Minardi Integrated Systems. in addi -tion to his busy lecture schedule, Dr. Minardi operates a successful pri-vate practice in Oakville, Ontario. E-mail [email protected], or visit www.ThompsonChiropractic Technique.com. SAMPLE CASE A 35-year-old office worker presents to the clinic with neck pain, low back pain and general fatigue. He informs the doctor that he has had the same office job for the past 10 years, and finds himself in front of his computer for hours. Physical examination reveals anterior head car-riage and a flexed thoracic posture. Furthermore, static and motion palpation detects sublux-ations present at C5 and L5 on the right. The doctor is proficient in The Complete Thompson Technique-Minardi Integrated Systems, and performs leg length analysis. The leg check shows a short right leg in the extended position, and a short right leg in the flexed position. The doctor instructs the patient to rotate his head to the left, which balances the legs in the extended posi-tion. The doctor then instructs the patient to rotate his head to the right, which keeps the legs unbalanced. Neurological and radiological examinations are unremarkable. What do these leg length findings indicate? What should be analyzed first? What needs to be corrected and how do we correct the problem? In this edition of Technique Toolbox, we will answer all of these questions and more, as we look at the classic cervical syndrome subluxation. CERVICAL SUBLUXATION AND CORRECTION One of the primary areas of subluxation, and one of the most powerful areas of correction, is the cervical spine. When adjusted properly, the cervical correction has tremendous effects. With this in mind, the cervical syndrome is the initial problem that a Thompson practitioner must rule in or out within the patient. The following procedures are required to detect and correct the cervical syndrome subluxation: STEP ONE – ANALYSIS: 1. The patient must present with a contracted leg in extension. The doctor instructs the patient to turn his/her head to the left then to the right. In order for a cervical syndrome to be diagnosed, the patient’s legs must balance upon head rotation to one or both sides. If the patient’s legs balance with head rotation, the cervical syndrome is then www.canadianchiropractor.ca John Minardi, BHK, DC 12 • Canadian ChiropraCtor | SEptEMBEr 2012
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