Episode 3: Cervical Spine

The cervical spine examination is taught as a structured assessment that combines symptom response, movement quality, and neurological findings. Learners are taken through active range of movement with overpressure, including flexion, extension, rotation, side flexion, and assisted protraction/retraction, with emphasis on judging what is normal for the individual rather than relying only on fixed ranges. It then covers combined movements, repeated movements, and how changing head, trunk, or scapular position may alter pain or movement restriction. These sections show how symptom provocation, easing, directional preference, and irritability can guide clinical reasoning and treatment choices. Manual assessment is also included in detail. This involves pain-provocation palpation, motion palpation in different positions, and interpretation of relative segmental movement while considering patient comfort and communication throughout. The neurological screen reviews myotomes, dermatomes, and reflexes, followed by neurodynamic tests for the median, ulnar, and radial nerves. The section finishes with the flexion-rotation test to assess upper cervical rotation, especially at C1-C2, comparing range and symptom response between sides.