Usually I take the neck first. Gower states that slow tonic contractions of a muscle occur when its points of attachment are suddenly approximated. Therefore in order to obtain relaxation, not only must the points of attachment be separated gradually but they must also be approximated again gradually. Blessed is the osteopath who is temperamentally slow. He escapes the necessity of learning to move slowly.
Patient lies on back.
Left hand against lamina of second cervical acts as a fulcrum. Extend and at same time sidebend head toward left. Move fulcrum down to lamina of third and repeat extension and sidebending. Repeat all the way down the neck. Then reverse position of hands and extend and sidebend to the right.