Through the years, I have been blessed to have gained knowledge of adjusting the upper cervical spine by learning from many of my mentors in chiropractic. Instrument adjusting pioneer, Dr. Cecil Laney once gave me a "Hot Tip" for reducing atlas laterality that I would like to share with you. In the diagram below, note that when adjusting with any hand held instrument, preload should always be toward the floor. This applies in most opposite angle situations when a high line of drive is being utilized. Not only does this help reduce the laterality, but it also prevents kicking up the plane line. A bent stylus must be utilized when a high contact is presented. The preload in all cases must be light. Let the impulse thrust from the instrument do the work.