User:Jmclau1/Cervical Distraction Test

Purpose
The cervical distraction test attempts to relieve the patient’s symptoms by decreasing pressure on the cervical nerve roots.

Procedure
The patient is in supine position (on back) to relax the cervical spine muscles. The examiner stands or sits at the head of the patient with one hand under the occiput (back of skull) and the other on top of the forehead, stabilizing the head. Examiner flexes the patient’s neck to a position of comfort. A traction force is applied to the skull, producing distraction of cervical spine.This procedure should not be performed until a cervical fracture of dislocation has been ruled out.

Mechanism
Compression of the cervical facet joints and/ or stenosis of the neural foramina.

Results
The patient’s symptoms are relieved or reduced.

Adverse Effects
This procedure should not be performed until a cervical fracture of dislocation has been ruled out.