Complete the table below
NAME OF TEST
Cervical Axial Compression
Cervical distraction test
Cervical Flexion Compression test
Cervical Rotation Compression test
Cervical Lateral Flexion Compression
test
Cervical Maximal Compression test
Shoulder Depression test
Shoulder abduction test (Bakody’s)
Valsalva test
Lhermittes sign
INTERPRETATION/WHAT TISSUE STRUCTURE DOES THIS TEST LOAD?
Compresses vessels and nerves. Positive tests can indicate
cervical lesions, joint damage, facet lock, ligament strain,
radiculopathy.
Assesses facet joint integrity as well as nerve root compression in
the cervical spine. If pain is relieved then the test is positive for
nerve root compression and facet joint pressure.
Assesses for radiculopathy, IVF encroachment and for sprain or
strain along the neck area. Pain radiating into the arm indicates
facet joint syndrome, pain along the arm indicates radiculopathy or
IVF encroachment.
Assesses for cervical radiculopathy among patients with upper
quadrant pain.
Assesses radiculopathy. Pain to the ipsilateral shoulder and arm
suggests cervical nerve root irritation.
Assesses for radiculopathy IVF encroachment and for sprain or
strain along the neck area. Pain radiating into the arm indicates
facet joint syndrome, pain along the arm indicates radiculopathy or
IVF encroachment.
Assesses for radiculopathy, sprain or strain. Pain indicates irritation
or compression of the nerve roots, foraminal encroachment such as
osteophytes.
Assesses for cervical radiculopathy especially at the levels of C4-
C5 or C5-C6. A decrease in or relief of symptoms indicates a
cervical extradural compression problem, such as a herniated disc,
epidural vein compression, or nerve root compression in the C4-C5
or C5- C6 area.
Assesses increased pressure on the spinal cord. increased pressure
within the spinal cord is usually due to a space-occupying lesion, such as a
herniated disc, a tumour or osteophytes.
Assesses for cervical myelopathy. Sharp pain shooting down the
spine or extremities indicates the presence of cervical myelopathy:
 cord tumour, posterior column disease, meningeal adhesions or
irritation, multiple sclerosis, stenosis, or disc herniation.

Brachial plexus tension test Differentiates between radicular pain as a result of nerve root
compression and local cervical strain or sprain.

Cervicogenic dizziness The vestibular apparatus is held stationary to differentiate

cervicogenic vertigo from vestibular vertigo and to diagnose a
cervical joint dysfunction

Adson’s test Compresses the brachial plexus.

Halstead test (reverse Adson’s) Compresses the neovascular bundle just above the first rib

Wright’s test (hyperabduction) Compresses the brachial plexus and the subclavian/axillary artery

Costoclavicular test Compresses the brachial plexus.

Provocation elevation test (Roos) Compresses the brachial plexus.

Slump Test
Places tension on the entire spinal cord and peripheral nerves of
the upper and lower extremities. It can assess a space-occupying
condition/lesion of the cervical and lumbar spinal regions as well as
TOS.
Passive Scapular Approximation
Compresses soft tissue and bone

Percussion
Compresses spinous processes and ribs for signs of pain

Rib Fracture Screen

Percussion/over pressure/tinel’s test to give focal/pin-point pain

Adam’s Forward Bending Test

Assesses the integrity of the spinal column for scoliosis

Ott Sign
Compresses the anterior structures of the spine and stretches the
posterior structures, ligaments, tendon, intervertebral discs
Chest Expansion
Assesses for reduction in costovertebral joint motion
Beevor’sSign
Compresses the umbilicus to assess for deviation

Abdominal Reflexes
Assesses the ability of the abdominal muscles to voluntarily
contract.