Understanding the Distraction Test (Cervical) Assessment
To relieve symptoms associated with **Cervical Radiculopathy** (nerve root compression) or **Facet Joint irritation**.
Watch How It's Done
How do I start?
Patient is sitting.
What happens?
The examiner places both hands under the patient's occiput and mandibular arch (chin) and gently applies a **vertical distraction force** (lifting the head straight up).
In Plain English
What Does a Positive Result Mean?
A **decrease or complete relief of the patient's pain or radicular symptoms** (pain, numbness, tingling in the arm/hand).
Helpful Tip:
Relief suggests that nerve root compression is likely due to a space-occupying lesion (e.g., disc bulge or foraminal stenosis).
Safety First
This guide is to help you understand what happens in a clinic. Do not try to diagnose yourself. If you have severe pain, swelling, or cannot put weight on your leg, please visit an urgent care center or your doctor immediately.
Other Cervical Spine Tests
Foraminal Compression Test (Spurling's Test)
To detect **Cervical Radiculopathy** caused by nerve root compression, usually due to **foraminal stenosis** (bone spurs) or a **disc herniation**.
Jackson Compression Test (Vertical Compression)
To detect general **nerve root irritation** or **facet joint pathology** (less specific than Spurling's).
Lhermitte's Sign
To screen for **central nervous system pathology** such as **Multiple Sclerosis (MS)**, cervical myelopathy, or other spinal cord lesions.
Maximal Cervical Compression Test
To assess for general **cervical nerve root compression** and **facet joint irritation**.