The Winner Is...

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Joe> HiHere is how I navigate vertebrae.Find the superior medial aspect of the scapula. The first intervertebral space below this will be T3-T4 (even with BL 13).

 

Geo> Good idea. I'll try this one. But still the scapula is dependent

on the arms/body position so... may not fall " on spot " . I'll definitely

try this out anyway. Thanks.Joe>Find the superior most point of the iliac crest of pelvic bone. Placing hands (middle fingers) there, thumbs extended will naturally fall to L4-L5 intervertebral space.

 

and...

 

Tristan> Place the index fingers of each hand at the patient's sides, resting on top of the iliac crests of the hip bones. Bring your thumbs together to meet at the spine on a level with your index fingers. Your thumbs should now meet over the 4th Lumbar vertebra. Slide your thumbs down to find the first inter-vertebral gap below this line. Combine this with the other methods and count of the number of vertebrae marked up, to be absolutely sure of your positioning.

Geo> Yes. This is what I had in mind. I thought in following the pelvic bone

upper line towards the back until u find the " hole " at the side of the first

sacral. Spoiled my tremendous originality! Joe>I always double check this by finding C7 (the most protruding, usually, and not moving relative to C6.

 

Geo> ...How is that? Not moving relative to C6? Is that correct? I thought

it was C7 the first (upwards) that do move relative to T1. Am i missing something?

 

Joe> I count down from there. If things don't match up, I make adjustments, sizing up from a visual impression of the whole. After doing enough backs you can tell when things don't look right overall. This might not seem precise, but it works well for me.

 

and...

 

Isabell> Geovani, I understand your struggle. I use the method

of counting from the bottom of the scapula, or measuring from the

natural waistline. You are right; these are less than perfect ways and

I often wonder if I am missing by one, and if my treatment is as effective.

But I hate to waste precious time by starting at C7 and counting all the

way down. On some people, I can't even feel the spaces between

vertebrae because they are too overweight! Others have vertebrae that seem to sit directly on each other, and there seem

to be no spaces at all. It's very frustrating.

 

Geo> Yes sometimes its realy difficult...

 

Isabell>I for one am very interested

in your method if you've discovered a better way to do this. Isabell

 

Geo> Sorry to disapoint you. It seems i didn't menage to be very

original... I hope these other ideas will help.

 

Hei Joe, Tristan, Isabell... Thanks for the help.