The Advanced Orthogonal procedure uses a percussive sound wave to correct the upper cervical misalignment complex. The low force of this technique allows wider patient populations to be candidates for this treatment, and the correction takes place within the patient's normal range of motion.
Eugene T. Patronis, Jr., Ph.D., professor at the School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, describes the operation of the Orthogonal Adjusting Instrument: "A mechanical impulse is imparted to the metal stylus by means of a spring loaded plunger. The strength of this impulse is determined by the initial degree of compression given to the plunger spring… At the patient-stylus interface, dependent on the impedance match, a portion of this wave energy is transmitted into the patient and a portion is reflected back to the plunger."