Purpose:
To asses the strength of the Posterolateral Neck Flexors (splenius capitis and cervicis, semispinalis capitis and cervicis, cervical Erector Spinae on one side)
Procedure:
- Patient is supine
- Patient abducts arm to 90°, flexes the elbows to 90°, and rest their dorsal hands on the table.
- Patient extends their neck. Therapist stabilizes the side being tested.
- Patient then rotates the head towards the side being tested.
- Patient holds the head in this position.
- Patient keeps the position against gravity (Grade 3).
- Therapist holds temporalis area of the unaffected side, then pushes in an oblique posterolateral direction, away from the tested side.
Positive Sign:
weakness of the Posterolateral Neck Flexors if the patient is unable to hold their neck against gravity or the therapist’s pressure.
Bryson Ingram R.M.T. 