Test method for assessing spinal or skeletal alignment

A method for measuring a profile of a manikin, the method comprising the steps of:

• suspending the manikin by a suspension frame, the manikin comprising one or more articulating joints defining a manikin profile, the articulating joints including articulating hip joints that hinge sideways and rotate, enabling a knee of the manikin to rest on a support surface when the manikin is in a lateral position;
• wherein the manikin defines a suspended configuration when suspended by the suspension frame;
• adjusting resistance or the limit of angle of articulation in the articulating joints;
• connecting one or more measuring devices to the manikin at one or more measuring points;
• raising the support surface to meet the manikin;
• supporting the manikin by the support surface, wherein the manikin defines a supported configuration when supported by the support surface;
• and
• measuring by the one or more measuring devices, differences in angles of the manikin profile between the suspended configuration of the manikin and the supported configuration of the manikin.