FORAMINAL COMPRESSION

TEST (SPURLING)

• ​​Testing for

Compression of a cervical nerve root or facet joint irritation in the Lower Cervical Spine

• Test positioning

With the client seated comfortably, the therapist rests the volar surface of both hands on top of the client's head.

• Action

The therapist applies downward pressure while the client laterally flexes the head, the test is repeated with the client laterally flexing to the opposite side.

Lateral flexion may be performed both actively and passively

• Positive finding

During the application of compression, a reporting of pain into the upper extremity toward the same side that the head is laterally flexed is positive.

This indicates pressure on a nerve root, which can be correlated by the dermatomal distribution of the pain.

• Special considerations & comments

Precautions (and possibly avoidance) should be taken with compression of the vertebral area with a client who has been diagnosed with conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and spinal stenosis.

The therapist should perform the vertebral artery test as a screen prior to administering this special test.