9 Thoracic spine and rib cage

Patient Upper Body Positioning For Sitting And Supine Techniques

There are a variety of upper body holds available (Figs 9.1–9.5). The hold selected for any particular technique is that which enables the operator to effectively localize forces to a specific segment of the spine or rib cage and deliver a high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) force in a controlled manner. Patient comfort must be a major consideration in selecting the most appropriate hold.