in the dorsal area. The base of the fingers (i.e., metacarpophalangeal joints) or the ulnar surface of the hand is used for palpating vibration. The tips of the fingers are the most sensitive, and are thus used for fine tactile discrimination on such as palpating skin texture, swelling, pulsatility, or lump detection. The grasping action of the fingers is used to palpate shape, position, and consistency of an organ or mass (Dept. of the Army, 1987; Luckmann & Sorensen, 1986). The use of palpation must be systematic, including bilateral comparisons of affected and unaffected body parts when possible. The degree of strength and the direction of motion palpation used by the chiropractor is progressive and peripheral. That is, light palpation is first peripherally done, which is then followed by deeper motion palpation that is closer to the affected body part. The motion palpation of tender areas is last done (Dept. of the Army; Deyo & Diehl, 1983; Kolb & Wilshaw, 1985; Luce, 1978; Luckmann & Sorensen, 1986; Overman, et al.).
Luce notes that the history of motion palpation is reputed to have numerous starting dates; thus evidencing no consensus as to when the use of this diagnostic technique actually began. What is indeed clear is that motion palpation as a means of patient diagnosis has been present at least since early Greek physicians (Luce, 1978). The theory that underlies motion palpation is simply that diseased organs, impaired muscles, etc. present in abnormal ways, which
...