Atlas of Acupuncture

3.4 Spine and Sacroiliac Region

Vertebra prominens (spinous process of C7)

(
Figs 3.67, 3.68)

Two fingers (for example the index and middle finger) are

placed on the spinous processes assumed to belong to C6 and

C7. The patient is then asked to flex and extend his/her head.

With a fully functional spine, the spinous process of C6 will start

to slide anteriorly with the slightest extension, while the process of

C7 will remain ‘fixed’. With further extension, the process of C6

will disappear completely, while the one of C7 remains palpable.

If the practitioner can feel movement under his/her upper finger

as described above, the fingers are placed on the spinous process

of C6 and C7. If, however, the process under the upper finger

remains palpable even with stronger extension, the fingers are

most likely resting on T1 and C7.

Correct identification of C6 is important, since C7 is not always

the ‘vertebra prominens’. In many cases, the spinous process of

T1 is equally or even more prominent than that of C7.


Du-14is located below the spinous process of C7.

Axis, dens

Atlas

Axis

Spinous

process

of the atlas

Vertebra

prominens (C7)

Du-14

Extension and

flexion of the

head

S.I.-15

G.B.-21

2 fingers on the

spinous processes

of C6 and C7

Fig. 3.67

Fig. 3.68