Please note that the needle color in the 2018 Petrometer models have been changed from yellow to black.

1. Meter Position for Horizontal Tests

All horizontal (rotational) tests for the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and extremities use the "Red" needle with the meter positioned parallel to the floor.

2. Cervical Rotation - Neutral

Set patient in starting position. Place meter between first two fingers. Line up "Zero" degrees with "red" needle.

3. Cervical Rotation - Rotated

Rotate head to right and read "red" needle for test results. Rotate head to left for test results without resetting meter. Headband and/or second meter can be used if desired.

4. Meter Postion for Vertical Tests

For Lateral Flexion and Flexion/Extention testing the black needle is used for all vertical degree readings.

5. Cervical Flexion/Extension - Neutral

Place meter between fingers and secure patient in starting position. Line up "Zero" degrees with black needle. Headset and/or 2nd meter (placed at T-1) can be used if desired.

6. Cervical Flexion

Secure the patient and flex cervicals without bending the neck forward. Read the test results from the black needle.

7. Cervical Extension

Do not move or "Zero-out" meter if flexion test was just done. Secure patient and extend cervicals. Read test results from black needle.

8. Cervical Lateral Flexion - Neutral

Place meter between first two fingers and apply to patient. Line up "Zero" degrees with black needle. Headset and/or 2nd meter (placed at T-1) can be used if desired.

9. Cervical Lateral Flexion

Secure left shoulder and flex to the right. Read test results from black needle. Do not move meter, secure right shoulder and flex to the left.

10. Thoraco-Lumbar - Neutral

Place meters at T-1 and sacrum. Line up "Zero" degrees with black needle on both meters.

11. Thoraco-Lumbar Flexion

Flex patient and get readings from both meters. Subtract lower (S-1) reading from upper (T-1) reading for test results. Same subtraction protocol is used for "thoracic only" or "lumbar only" test results.

12. How to lock in vertical test results

When doing any vertical test using the black needle (thoraco-lumbar shown) final results can be "locked" so that meters can be moved closer to examiner for easier reading. When test is complete drop meters to be parallel with the floor (shown here) and the black needle will stick in the final testing position. Do not move quickly or shake meters during this process as this could change the needle readings.

13. Thoraco-Lumbar - Extension

With meters placed at T-1 and S-1 line up "Zero" degrees with black needle. Extend patient and get readings from both meters. Subtract lower meter reading from upper meter reading for test results. For thoracic "only" test place lower meter at L-1. For lumbar "only" test place upper meter at L-1.

14. Thoracic Rotation - Neutral

Place patient in seated position for testing. Place meter at T-1 using thumb and light pressure. Line up "Zero" degrees with "red" needle. Place second meter at L-1 and "zero-out" this meter as well.

15. Rotation

Secure the patient and rotate to the right. Read the "red" needle for test results. Without resetting the meter rotate the patient to the left. The test results for that direction are read from the "red" needle as well.

16. Thoracic Lateral Flexion - Neutral

Have patient seated to stabilize pelvis Place meter at T-1 and line up black needle with "Zero" degrees. For "thoraco-lumbar" lateral flexion (shown) one meter can be used. For "thoracic" lateral flexion place a second meter at L-1 and "zero-out" the black needle as well.

17. Thoracic Lateral Flexion

Secure patient and flex to the right reading test results from the black needle. If a meter is used (at L-1) subtract it's readings from the T-1 meter for thoracic flexion only. Do not move or reset meter(s) and flex to the left for opposite test results.

18. Lumbar Rotation - Neutral

With patient seated, place meter at L-1 and line up "Zero" degrees with "red" needle. If a second meter is used (place on sacrum) "zero-out" the "red" needle as well.

19. Lumbar Rotation

Secure and rotate patient to the right reading the "red" needle for test results. If a second meter is used, subtract sacral readings from L-1 readings for findings. Rotate patient to the left without moving or resetting meters and repeat subtraction process for left side test results.