Aka. Brachial plexus distraction test Purpose:  To test for radiculopathy or brachial plexus lesion. Test procedure: • The patient is seated. • The examiner stands behind the patient. • The examiner side-bends the neck and depresses the ipsilateral shoulder. This places a detractive force through the nerve roots of the cervical and brachial plexii. • The examiner observes the […]

Purpose:  To test for irritation to the meninges by placing a stretch through them. Test procedure: • The patient lies supine. • The examiner stands next to the patient’s head. • The examiner gradually flexes the patients head and neck towards the patient’s chest. • Observe the patient’s knees and their face for evidence of pain.   Test […]

Purpose:  To test for the integrity of the thoracic outlet. Test procedure: • The patient is seated. • The examiner observes by standing in front. • The patient is asked to abduct their arms to 900 and flex their elbows upwards also at 900 (the surrender position). The patient is then asked to repeatedly open and close their […]

Purpose: To assess the integrity of the vertebral arteries Test procedure: • The patient is seated • The examiner stands close to the patient • The patient flexes both arms to 90 with forearms supinated. The patient is instructed to close their eyes and tip the head backward. At this point, the patient may report the presence […]

CAUTIONS! Purpose:  Test for the integrity of the vertebral arteries Test procedure: • The patient is in the supine position • The examiner stands at the head end of the patient • The patient is assisted to extend the cervical spine to end of range. Following this, the upper cervical joints are taken into side bending […]

Purpose:  Test for the presence of brachial plexus irritation. Test procedure: • The patient is seated. • The examiner stands beside the patient supporting them. • The examiner palpates firmly over the brachial plexus and instructs the patient to slowly side-bend their head away from the area being palpated. • The patient may report increase in […]

Purpose:  Test for the presence of cervical nerve root irritation. Test procedure: • The patient is seated. • The examiner stands beside the patient supporting them (if necessary). • The examiner asks the patient to abduct their shoulder and place their hand on their head. • The patient may report relief of radicular pain or symptoms. […]

Purpose:  Test for presence of thoracic outlet syndrome. Test procedure: • The patient is seated. • The examiner stands behind patient. • The examiner palpates the patients radial pulse, abducts and extends their arm. The patient is asked to look towards the side being tested and to take a deep breath. In Halstead maneuver the Radial […]

Purpose:  Test for lesions to weight-bearing structures, the facets or for nerve root pathology. Test procedure: • The patient is seated. • The examiner stands behind patient. • The examiner places both hands with fingers locked over the patient’s head and exerts a gradual compressive force direct through the cervical spine. • Observe the patient […]

Purpose:  Test for the presence of nerve root pathology, injury to cervical weight bearing structures or ligaments. Test procedure: • The patient is seated. • The examiner stands behind patient. • The examiner cradles the patients head at the occiput and mandible. A careful, progressive traction of the patient’s cervical spine is performed. • Observe […]

Purpose:  To test for presence of nerve root pathology. Test procedure: • The patient is seated. • The examiner stands behind patient. • The examiner sequentially compresses, extends and then rotates the patients head to the side of the suspected lesion. • Observe the patient for pain, or radicular symptoms. Test findings: Positive if radicular symptoms […]

Vertebral Artery Test Video

Definition: Damage to any of the four tendons of the rotator induced by repetitive activity and/or trauma History – symptoms – signs: Anterolateral shoulder pain often with radiation down the arm to the elbow Aggravated by shoulder movement History of slowly escalating pain or sudden onset Atrophy of the rotator cuff muscles History of trauma […]