Postural Respiration: Course Notes

Cervical Axial Rotation

Patient lies in supine with knees flexed to flatten the lumbar spine. Place both hands around each side of the patient’s neck, with little fingers placed on distal transverse processes of C2, middle fingers placed on transverse processes of C7 and index fingers placed on spinous process of T1. Place thumbs directly under and parallel to SCM’s. Passively rotate the cervical spine as a unit to the left by rotating the neck with right thumb, 3rd, 4th, and 5th fingers while right index finger stabilizes T1. Compare soft tissue limitations or rotational limits or differences secondary to thoracic spine position by rotating neck from neutral to the left and from neutral to the right.
A positive test is indicated by limitation in one direction when compared to the other, or when inequality of range of motion exists.

Back…