Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor

Technique Toolbox: February 2011

By John Minardi BHK DC   

Features Clinical Techniques

SAMPLE CASE
A 35-year-old male army cadet presents to the clinic with neck pain and stiffness. The patient notifies the doctor that the neck pain began following enrolment into the armed service, and has progressively worsened over the past five years. The patient also notifies the doctor that his neck movement is extremely limited and that he feels as though he is actively forcing his neck to move in certain positions. The patient also mentions that he has taken a variety of pain medications over the years. These temporarily alleviate the symptoms but they return when the medication wears off.

X-Stuck-pic1  
Picture 1 – A lateral cervical film displays a decreased cervical lordosis, which is one of the criteria for a Stucky Stack adjustment.


 

SAMPLE CASE
A 35-year-old male army cadet presents to the clinic with neck pain and stiffness. The patient notifies the doctor that the neck pain began following enrolment into the armed service, and has progressively worsened over the past five years. The patient also notifies the doctor that his neck movement is extremely limited and that he feels as though he is actively forcing his neck to move in certain positions. The patient also mentions that he has taken a variety of pain medications over the years. These temporarily alleviate the symptoms but they return when the medication wears off.

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Physical examination reveals that cervical flexion and extension are limited. Motion and static palpation reveals a subluxation at C2 on the right, with associated facet inflammation. Palpation of the subluxation and irritated facet joint reproduces the pain immediately on the patient. Neurological examination is unremarkable, and no indications for X-rays are seen at this time.

The chiropractor begins a regime of chiropractic adjustments to the C2 subluxation, consisting of supine rotary cervical adjustments to the affected segment. Over the course of four weeks, the patient is re-evaluated to determine the progress of treatment. The patient remarks that the pain is slightly better, but that he still feels that his overwhelming stiffness has not improved. At this point, the chiropractor sends the patient for X-rays, due to the lack of significant improvement with the patient’s chronic problem. X-ray examination reveals a decreased cervical lordosis. All other radiological findings are unremarkable.

Have you had this type of case present in your office? Have you been adjusting a patient, confident that you are dealing with a straightforward case, but only achieving mediocre results with your adjustments?

In this edition of Technique Toolbox, I will be discussing Stucky Integrated Methods, and in particular the Stucky Stack Adjustment for a chronic C2 problem. As you will see, sometimes a simple modification to the adjustment can provide tremendous results.

FIRST, SOME HISTORY
Dr. L. Joe Stucky is a 1957 graduate of Northwestern Chiropractic College, and founder of the Stucky Chiropractic Centre in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Dr. Stucky is a true pioneer of chiropractic. He was in full-time practice for 50 years (he still practices on a part-time basis) and was an international lecturer, speaker and mentor for most of his 50-year career. He is a distinguished fellow of the International Chiropractic Association, and was a founding member of Life Chiropractic College, in Marietta, Georgia (now Life University). Dr. Stucky was a technique pioneer, combining Gonstead, Thompson, Pettibon and his own techniques to create the Stucky Integrated Methods. I was fortunate enough to learn directly from Dr. Stucky. It is by combining information that I received directly from his lectures with my own clinical findings that I am able to share the proper implementation of the Stucky Stack for a chronic C2 problem.

Going back to our case study: to understand the difference in this particular subluxation pattern, one must have an understanding of the biomechanics involved with a C2 subluxation that make a Stucky Stack Adjustment necessary.

SUBLUXATION BIOMECHANICS (SEE DIAGRAM BELOW)
In this situation, the C2 vertebra subluxates primarily posterior, with slight spinous rotation away from the side of the inflamed facet (thick black arrow). This subluxation pattern causes the facet joints to separate (thin black arrow). The dashed grey arrow represents the eventual line of correction, focusing P-A, to correct the subluxation and restore the cervical lordosis.

Stuck-Pic2  
Picture 2 – Contacts for the Stucky Stack are
displayed on a skeletal model. Note how the thumb pad contacts the
posterior cervical facet of the C2 subluxation.
 
Stuck-Pic3  
Picture 3 – Proper patient setup for the Stucky Stack is displayed. Note how the patient’s head is stabilized across the doctor’s forearm, as the contact hand delivers the proper P-A adjustment.  
diagram  

In our case, the doctor is utilizing a cervical rotary adjustment. This is an excellent adjustment; however, it focuses on the rotational aspect of the subluxation. In a chronic C2 subluxation, with concurrent loss of cervical lordosis, the rotational aspect of the subluxation is a minor element. The major element of this subluxation is posteriority. In this case, the subluxation has gone posterior, with slight rotation and spinous process away from the side of the inflamed facet. This is why our case doctor is achieving minimal results. By using a technique that focuses on the rotation, the major posterior component of the subluxation is not addressed and thus remains a factor causing the patient discomfort. By focussing, instead, on the posterior component, the adjustments will help restore the cervical lordosis, as well as alleviate the patient’s symptoms.

In fact, research has demonstrated a statistically significant association between a decreased cervical lordosis and neck pain. One study suggests that a cervical lordosis of 31 degrees to 40 degrees should be a clinical goal for chiropractic treatment. Furthermore, patients having a cervical complaint were 18 times more likely to have a decreased cervical lordosis.1 Therefore, it is critical to focus on the posterior component of the subluxation for proper biomechanics, as well as for symptomatic relief.

SO, WHEN IS A STUCKY STACK ADJUSTMENT UTILIZED?
Step One – There are two criteria required to justify the use of the Stucky Stack:

  1. Chronic C2 cervical subluxation.
  2. Loss of proper cervical curve as seen on lateral cervical X-ray (see Picture 1).

Both criteria are present in our sample case. The doctor will now move on to the correction.

Step Two – Correction: Stucky Stack Adjustment (see Pictures 2-3) :

  • Patient: Supine. Table at a 45-degree incline (if working on a high-low table).
  • Doctor: Head of table.
  • Contact: Thumb pad on the
  • C2 facet.
  • Stabilization: Cradle the patient’s head. Have them rest their head across your arm, while simultaneously holding their chin. The head will be turned away from the contact.
  • LOC: P-A.

Dr. Stucky was a technique pioneer who created this adjustment specifically for a chronic C2 subluxation. However, it can be performed at any cervical level. By utilizing the Stucky Stack, doctors can re-align the cervical spine by compressing the facet joints back into a closed packed position, restoring the patient’s natural cervical lordosis. If you would like to learn more about Stucky Integrated Methods, please go to www.ThompsonChiropracticTechnique.com. If you have any questions, please contact me at johnminardi@hotmail.com.

Until next time . . . Adjust with Confidence!

REFERENCES
1. McAviney, J. Determining the relationship between cervical lordosis and neck complaints. JMPT. 2005. 28(3):187-93.



Dr. John Minardi is a 2001 graduate of Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. A Thompson-certified practitioner and instructor, he is the creator of the Thompson Technique Seminar Series and author of The Complete Thompson Textbook – Minardi Integrated Systems. In addition to his busy lecture schedule, Dr. Minardi operates a successful private practice in Oakville, Ontario. E-mail: johnminardi@hotmail.com, or visit www.ThompsonChiropracticTechnique.com.


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