What can also be affected with the cervical spine?
nerves may also be affected
What is the primary cause of neck pain?
degenerative and traumatic conditions
What can influence pain, motion, and posture of the entire spine?
dysfunctions in the thoracic spine and ribs
Does age increase or decrease the frequency of cervical spine dysfunctions?
it increases
What percent of outpatient population have neck pain and headaches?
approximately 25%
What is the primary cause of degenerative and traumatic conditions?
Whiplash and arthritis
Questions you ask in the patient interview?
- past medical history
- mechanism of injury (motor vehicle accident or trauma, job/work duties)
- numbness or tingling
- radiating pain
- loss of sensation
- weakness
- dizziness, nauseas or vertigo
- increase or decreased pain
- activities that are avoided
- pain with sneezing
- headaches
What is the first thing you observe when the patient walks in?
posture: note if it is forward head, increased kyphosis or thoracic spine
What can happen in the upper traps with forward head posture?
muscle hypertrophy
What are only important observations to make besides posture?
- muscle hypertrophy
- difficulty turning
- rib movement with breathing (pain with coughing sneezing )
What are four things you need to make sure to check when dealing with the cervical spine?
- joints above and below the affected area
- assess cervical and thoracic spine together
- look at shoulder and scapula mobility
- rib functioning
Grade 5 for cervical
Full ROM and able to hold against max resistance
Grade 4 for cervical
movement through complete ROM but unable to hold against moderate resistance
Grade 3 for cervical
patient flexes head and neck through full ROM without resistance
Grade 2 for cervical
patient flexes head and neck through partial ROM
Grade 1 for cervical
no motion but palpable contraction is present
What is the gravity eliminated position for cervical spine?
there is no separate test or position for muscle grades 3 and below
What is a myotome?
-a motor test of each level of innervation from the cervical spine
What is the purpose of the myotome test in UQS?
- an isometric test of key muscles to look for gross weakness in the upper extremities
- further investigation required if asymmetries found
What is a dermatome?
- sensation test of each level of innervation from the cervical spine
- further investigation required if asymmetries found
