Spurling’s (Foraminal Compression) test – What is the purpose, indication and relevance?

Spurling’s (Foraminal Compression) Test: After the cervical compression test (client is seated with head and neck in lateral flexion toward the affected side and practitioner applies downward force on the head to compress the cervical vertebral foramen), practitioner extends and rotates client’s head and neck towards the affected side and applies downward force on the head to compress the cervical vertebral foramen.

Purpose:

• Assess cervical intervertebral discs as source of nerve root compression and shoulder pain

Indications:

• Cervical pain

Relevance:

• Positive test – reproduction of pain or tingling radiating down the arm on ipsilateral side of cervical flexion is indicative of nerve root compression.

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This post was written by Omar Rifai