Vertebral artery test – What is the purpose, indication and relevance?

Vertebral Artery Test: Client is supine. Practitioners flexes, laterally rotates and extends the clients neck, holding for 30 seconds and then repeating on other side.

Purpose:

• Assess circulation deficiency of the vertebral artery at the transverse foramen
• Tule out vascular compromise in the arteries of the neck prior to cervical manipulation

Indications:

• Symptoms of neurovascular insufficiency

Relevance:

• Positive test – dizziness, nystagmus, light headedness, nausea is indicative of vertebral artery compression

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This post was written by Omar Rifai