Purpose: To decrease pain within the rectus capitis posterior and/or increase ROM

Procedure: With the patient lying in supine, sit at the head of the table. Palpate the rectus capitis posterior muscle with the fingers pointing caudally and find the most tender point. While maintaining gentle pressure on that point, passively move the patient into extension and ipsilateral side bending. Maintain contact with the tender point in this position for 90 to 120 seconds, then slowly and passively return the patient to the starting position.