The Ideal Spinal Model

Doctor D.D. Palmer founded chiropractic in 1895 after adjusting a janitor whose hearing was immediately
restored. Dr. Palmer found what he called a "vertebra racked from normal position." He described this
misaligment as a "subluxation."

According to this definition of subluxation the implication exists that a subluxation is an abnormal positioning of
a vertebra or vertebrae and therefore suggests the need to define a normal spinal position.

Addressing this need, and questioning the derivation and completeness of existing chiropractic spinal models,
in 1982 Dr. Don Harrison proposed his own model for a normal upright human spine. Harrison developed his
model by considering the anatomy and functional requirements of the spine and then applying principles of
mechanics and mathematics. The outcome of his effort is the ideal spinal model which is the basis for the
technique used by Dr. Haralambous.

In summary, the AP view of this model is a straight, vertical spine with all the vertebral centers of mass of Cl,
C5, L3, and S2 aligned, and the centers of mass for the skull, thorax, pelvis, and directly above a point midway
between the knees and medial malleoli. This alignment allows the body the best chance for equal and bilateral
muscle effort and maintenance of posture with minimal energy expenditure.

In the lateral view, the cervical curve (C1 to T1), thoracic curve (T2 to T11) is a 63 degree arc of a circle, ranging
from 56 degrees to 69 degrees. The Lumbar Model, recently published in the Journal of Spinal Disorders,
evidenced the mean L1-L5 angle to be -39.7 degrees (Cobb T12-S1=-65 degrees) and is the shape of an
ellipse.  There should also be vertical alignment of the posterior-superior corner of atlas, posterior-inferior
corner of Tl body, posterior-inferior corner of T12 body, and posterior-inferior corner of Sl body.

This normal static model does not describe what happens when the spine is in motion, as it almost always is.
The importance of the model is that it describes a position of equilibrium from which all motions are made.