Asymmetrical joint geometry is common and causes asymmetrical joint dynamics. Thus, a clinician attempting to palpate vertebral motion would be misled by assuming that perceived restricted joint motion universally represented a finding potentially amenable to manipulation. For spine palpation to be a valid indicator for manipulation, the clinician applying it must first be able to differentiate between asymmetrical motion caused by vertebral fixation and that caused by asymmetrical joint anatomy.

No abstract