Palmer Upper Cervical Specific The Hole in One (HIO) technique SAMPLE CASE A 40-year-old office worker presents to the clinic with headaches, back pain, and the oc-casional shooting pain into the right buttock. The patient informs the doctor that he has re-cently been transferred to this neighbourhood, and has been looking for a local chiropractor to assist with his problem, which he has been dealing with, on an intermittent basis, for the past 10 years. He has always found visits to a chiropractor extremely helpful. The patient re-lays that he has been subjected to long work-ing hours, of late, and is spending much of his time focused on his computer screen. He at-tributes his issues to this. Physical examination reveals a palpatory left lateral atlas subluxation, Photo 1: An A-P open mouth cervical a compensatory right posterior ilium, and hy-view is displayed. The markings note pertonic piriformis on the right. X-ray analysis atlas subluxating to the patient’s left side. of the cervical spine reinforces the palpatory atlas finding, and S-EMG analysis also reveals a thermal deviation at C1 on the left. All other radiological and neurological examinations are unremarkable. During the report of findings, the doctor explains the subluxation findings to the patient before proceeding with a plan of management for the case. At the end of the report, the pa-tient asks the doctor if he is proficient in upper cervical adjusting, as this method was used on him in the past and is what he prefers to be adjusted with. This particular doctor is trained in Palmer Upper Cervical Specific Technique, also known as “Hole in One” (HIO), and in-Photo 2: HIO Toggle setup is displayed on forms the patient that he can certainly accom-the skeletal model. Note how a pisiform contact is on the lateral tip of the TVP modate his request. of atlas, and the stabilization hand is in the What is the Hole in One technique? Who anatomical snuff box of the contact hand. originally developed this technique and how is it utilized? In this edition of Technique Toolbox, I will answer these questions and more. HISTORY HIO technique was developed by B.J. Palmer following his extensive clinical research conducted at the Palmer Research Facility. Prior to 1931, B.J. Palmer felt that a sub -luxation could be located at any vertebra in the spine, including the sacrum and coc-cyx. However, from the very beginning, he felt that most subluxations occurred in the upper cervical spine, specifically at the atlas and axis vertebrae. At that time, Palmer defined vertebral subluxations to include the following criteria: 1 • misalignments of the vertebra in relation to adjacent segments; • occlusion of a foramen or spinal canal; • pressure or tension on the spinal nerves or spinal cord; • interference of transmission of mental impulses. www.canadianchiropractor.ca 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. John Minardi, BHK, DC 14 • CANAdiAN CHiROpRACTOR | MAY 2011
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