Cervical Flexion-Rotation Test

Published by Hall and Robinson in Manual Therapy (2004), this helpful test will not only assist in assessing upper cervical rotation but, also, guide you to a possible source of cervicogenic headache. The test is performed with the patient in supine. The therapist flexes the cervical spine forward to approximately 45 degrees. Atlanto-axial rotation is then assessed in both directions. If one of your patient’s complaints is headache, you are likely to find limited rotation to the same side as the headache. Turn this assessment into treatment with your choice of manual technique and you should see a positive change in symptoms.