Activator Method

PUBIC BONE ISOLATION TEST IS THE LAST COMPONENT TO TEST FOR POSSIBILITY 1 AND IT IS ALSO THE

STARTING POINT FOR POSSIBILITY 3.

Let’s review a few important points. There are three Possibilities.

Possibility 1 started out with a short PD leg in P#1 and in P#2 it went relatively long. We Pressure Tested

and adjusted as necessary the medial and lateral knees, AS ilium and PI ilium until the PD leg is now

even or almost even with the OPD leg. Now we have the patient perform the Pubic Bone Isolation Test.

Possibility 2 - PD leg short in P#1 and remained just as short or shorter in P#2. We start testing this

Possibility with L4 Isolation Test. This will be discussed later.

Possibility 3 - The legs are even in P#1 and P#2. We start this Possibility with the Pubic Bone Isolation

Test.

ISOLATION TESTS AND THE SHORT/LONG RULE

THE LEGS SHOULD BE EVEN FOR ALL ISOLATION TESTS – FROM PUBIC BONE UP TO AND INCLUDING

OCCIPUT. Well, there is one exception.

The legs are even in P#1 and P#2. Tell the patient to perform a specific Isolation Test. If the PD leg

shortens in P#1, the patient has a subluxation at the level just tested. Bring the legs to P#2. By following

the Short/Long Rule (S/L Rule) in P#2, you will know to adjust on the PD side or the OPD side.

Short/Long Rule (S/L Rule): The S/L Rule only applies

AFTER

an Isolation Test is performed. If the PD leg

relatively lengthens in P#2, adjust the segment on the PD side. If the PD leg relatively shortens in P#2,

adjust on the OPD side.

PUBIC BONE ISOLATION TEST

INSTRUMENT SETTINGS FOR PUBIC BONE: AAI 4 OR 5 – SETTING 2, AAI 2 – 4 RINGS

(THE LAST COMPONENT OF POSSIBILITY 1 AND THE ONLY COMPONENT OF POSSIBILITY 3)

PUBIC BONE ISOLATION TEST: The legs are even in P#1 and P#2. Tell the patient to squeeze the knees

toward each other.

NOTE: ACTIVATOR METHOD DOES NOT WANT YOU TO PLACE YOUR FIST OR HAND

OR ANYTHING ELSE BETWEEN THE PATIENT’S KNEES WHEN DOING THIS TEST.

The legs are even, but after the patient squeezes the knees toward each other, if the PD leg shortens in

P#1, the patient has a pubic bone subluxation.

But which side? Bring the legs to P#2 and follow the S/L Rule. If the PD leg relatively lengthens in P#2,

you will adjust on the PD side since the patient has a superior pubic bone on the PD side. The CP is

superior aspect of the pubic bone and LOD is inferior (S to I). But if the PD leg is relatively shorter in P#2,

then adjust on the OPD side and this is an inferior subluxation. The CP is the inferior aspect of the OPD

pubic bone and the LOD is superior (I to S).

LUMBAR ISOLATION TESTS FOR BASIC SCAN 6

INSTRUMENT SETTINGS FOR LUMBAR: AAI 4 OR 5 – SETTING 4, AAI 2 – 6 RINGS

Remember! The legs are even before an Isolation Test (IT). If after an isolation test is performed the PD

leg shortens in P#1, then there is a subluxation at the level tested. Bring the legs to P#2 and follow the

S/L Rule to determine which side to adjust.

LUMBAR ISOLATION TESTS FOR BASIC SCAN

L5 – PD arm on low back

L4 – OPD arm behind back

L2 – both arms behind low back

CP for all lumbar vertebrae is inferior articular process

LOD for all lumbar vertebrae is anterior-superior (P to A and I to S)

NOTE: Possibility 2

is PD leg short in P#1 and stays just as short or shorter in P#2. The starting point for

Possibility 2 is Lumbar 4. Instruct the patient to place the OPD arm behind the back. If the PD leg

remains short in P#1, bring the lets to P#2 and follow the S/L Rule. It is rare, but if the patient places the

OPD arm behind the back and the legs become even in P#1 and P#2, then there is

subluxation at L4.

THORACIC ISOLATION TESTS FOR BASIC SCAN

INSTRUMENT SETTINGS:

T12-T7: AAI 4 OR 5 – SETTING 3, AAI 2 – 6 RINGS: T6 – T1: AAI 4 OR 5 – SETTING 2, AAI 2 – 6 RINGS

Remember! The legs are even before an Isolation Test (IT). If after an isolation test is performed the PD

leg shortens in P#1, then there is a subluxation at the level tested. Bring the legs to P#2 and follow the

S/L Rule to determine which side to adjust the vertebra (TP).

T12-PD arm on table beside head – adjust TP only

T8-both arms on table beside head – adjust TP and opposite rib

T6- (arms by the legs) turn face to PD side - adjust TP and opposite rib

T4-keep face to PD side, lift PD shoulder off table toward ceiling and relax- adjust TP and opposite rib

T1-face remains to PD side, shrug shoulders toward head - adjust TP only

Rib 1-face remains to PD side, roll shoulders superior, then posterior, then inferior

for all thoracic vert. is the TP. LOD is anterior, superior, slightly medial (P to A, I to S, slightly L to M)

For T10 to T2, automatically adjust the rib on the side you did NOT adjust the TP

CP for rib 10 to rib 2 is body of the rib, ½ inch lateral to TP. LOD is lateral, inferior (M to L and S to I)

Rib I: Pull trap muscle posterior then CP is superior aspect of rib 1. LOD is interior (S to I)

SCAPULA ISOLATION TEST – MEDIAL/LATERAL SCAPULA KINETIC CHAIN

INSTRUMENT SETTINGS SCAPULA: AAI 4 OR 5 – SETTING 2, AAI 2 – 3 RINGS (Extremities are 3 rings)

DO THE MEDIAL SCAPULA TEST

AFTER THE RIB 1

ISOLATION AND

BEFORE THE C7

ISOLATION TEST

MEDIAL AND LATERAL SCAPULAE ISOLATION TESTS:

Patient has face turned to PD side

. Have patient first squeeze

PD elbow to his side and relax. If the PD leg goes short in P#1 = subluxation. The inferior angle of the PD scapula is

being tested. If the PD leg shortens in P#1, go to P#2.

DO NOT FOLLOW THE Short/Long Rule. The inferior angle of

scapula

subluxates (points) to the long leg in P#2. The long leg in P#2 will tell you if this is a medial or lateral

scapula pattern.

Adjust as necessary (see below).

With the face still turned to the PD side, test the OPD scapula

by having the patient squeeze the OPD elbow into his side and relax. If the PD leg shortens in P#1, go to P#2 and

determine which leg is long in P#2. The long leg in P#2 will tell you if this is a medial or lateral scapula pattern.

Adjust as necessary (see below).

Medial Scapula = the inferior angle points across the body to the long leg in P#2

MURL

M = Medial scapula – CP is lower third of the ala of the scapula (

posterior aspect of the ala

and

NOT on the medial border of the scapula). LOD is lateral (M to L)

U = “Up”. Adjust the humerus “up” (I to S). CP – lateral aspect of proximal 1/3 humerus

R = Radius. Have patient bring their forearm on the table just above the head. CP is posterior-

superior aspect of the head of radius. LOD is AI (P to A, S to I - toward hand/thumb)

L = Lunate. CP is anterior aspect of lunate. LOD is P (A to P)

Lateral Scapula = the inferior angle points to same side of body to the long leg in P#2

L-DUC

(pronounced “L Duke or L Duck)

L = Lateral Scapula - CP is lower third of the ala of the scapula (

posterior aspect of the ala

and

NOT on the lateral border of the scapula). LOD is medial (L to M)

D = “Down”. Adjust lateral aspect of proximal 1/3 of humerus on the deltoid muscle. LOD is S to I

U = Ulna. CP is anterior-medial aspect of proximal ulna of ulna just medial to the ulnar

attachment of the bicep tendon. Find the

ulnar

attachment of the bicep tendon with your finger.

Then slide your finger off the bicep tendon and on the ulna which will be on the little finger side

of the forearm. LOD is SM (I to S, L to M - toward olecranon process).

C = Carpals, posterior distal carpal row. There are two CPs: a medial and a lateral carpal. LOD is A

(P to A)

CERVICAL AND OCCIPUT ISOLATION TESTS BASIC SCAN (C7, C5, C2, C1, OCCIPUT)

INSTRUMENT SETTINGS LOWER CERVICALS: AAI 4 OR 5 – SETTING 2, AAI 2 – 3 RINGS

ISOLATION TESTS C7, C5

C7 For the Scapula Isolation tests the patient has his face turned to the PD side. The C7 Isolation Test is

to tell the patient to turn facedown into the nose slot

C5 extend neck (or raise head), then relax

CP for C7 to C2 is the lamia-pedicle junction

LOD for C7 to C2 is anterior, superior, slightly medial (P to A, I to S, slightly L to M)

C2 ISOLATION TEST

INSTRUMENT SETTINGS C2: AAI 4 OR 5 – SETTING 2, AAI 2 – 3 RINGS

C2 ISOLATION TEST - For C2 and C1 Isolation Tests there is a variation to the S/L Rule

C2-C1 tuck the chin toward the chest. Remember, the legs are even before an Isolation Test. After the

patient tucks the chin, the PD leg shortens in P#1 and

shortens more in P#2

. This indicates the C2 is

subluxated on the OPD side.

CP for C2 is the lamia-pedicle junction on the OPD side only!

Never

the PD side.

LOD for C2 is anterior, superior, slightly medial (P to A, I to S, slightly L to M)

C1 ISOLATION TEST

INSTRUMENT SETTINGS C1: AAI 4 OR 5 – SETTING 1, AAI 2 – 1 RING

C1 ISOLATION TEST - For C2 and C1 Isolation Tests there is a variation to the S/L Rule

C2-C1 tuck the chin toward the chest. Remember, the legs are even before an Isolation Test. After the

patient tucks the chin, the PD leg shortens in P#1 and

lengthens in P#2

. This indicates C1 is subluxated

on the PD side.

CP for C1 is the C1 TP on the PD side only and

never

the OPD side.

LOD for C1 is medial (L to M)

OCCIPUT ISOLATION TEST

INSTRUMENT SETTINGS POSTERIOR OCCIPUT: AAI 4 OR 5 – SETTING 1, AAI 2 – 1 RING

Occiput Isolation Test – the patient presses his face into the table and then relaxes

CP: the PD or OPD inferior nuchal line based on the S/L Rule. Place the AAI on CP and a thumb just

inferior

to the CP to brace the AAI so it won’t slip and accidently adjust the posterior arch of C1.

LOD: anterior (P to A). In other words, straight toward the floor!

SOME ACTIVATOR DEFINATIONS

AAI: Activator Adjustment Instrument

CP – CONTACT POINT

INITIAL LEG CHECK – When the patient first lays prone on the table. Going from P#1 to P#2 determines if

the patient is Possibility 1 or Possibility 2 or Possibility 3

ISOLATION TEST – the legs are even or near even and the patient is instructed to move a body part. If

the PD leg shortens in P#1 (subluxation), bring both legs into P#2 and follow the Short/Long Rule.

L-DUC – acronym for a lateral scapula subluxation

LOD – LINE OF DRIVE

MURL – acronym for a medial scapula subluxation

OPD LEG – Opposite PD LEG

P#1 - legs extended

P#2 – legs flexed to no more than 90 degrees

PD LEG – functional short leg also called the reactive leg

POSSIBILITY 1 – On the Initial Leg Check the PD leg is short in P#1 and relatively lengthen in P#2. Begin

the Activator analysis by Pressure Testing the knees.

POSSIBILITY 2 - On the Initial Leg Check the PD leg is short in P#1 and stays as short or shorter in P#2.

Begin the Activator analysis with the L4 Isolation Test.

POSSIBILITY 3 - On the Initial Leg Check the legs are even in P#1 and P#2. Begin the Activator analysis

with the pubic bone Isolation Test.

PRESSURE TEST: Used when the legs are uneven in P#1 and P#2

SHORT/LONG RULE (S/L RULE) – going into P#2

after

an Isolation Test. If the PD leg is long in P#2, adjust

the vertebra on the PD side. If the PD leg is short in P#2, adjust the vertebra on the OPD side.

SHORT/LONG RULE VARIATION – used after testing a scapula Isolation Test and the PD leg shortens in

P#1 (subluxation). Go to P#2 and the leg that is longer in P#2 will tell you if the subluxation is a medial or

lateral scapula.

SIX POINT LANDING (6 POINT LANDING)

STRESS TEST: Used when the legs are even in P#1 and P#2

WELT – where the shoes leather upper meet with the rubber heel. Used to evaluate the legs in P#1 and

P#2 in both the Initial Leg Check and also used to determine if the PD leg shortened after an Isolation

Test in P#1 and also used in P#2 (Short/Long Rule