Ask your client to keep their eyes open, then press inferiorly on the top of their head and ask if they have any symptoms of pain, tingling, or numbness in their arms, or any dizziness, nausea, or changes in vision. Hold for up to 30 seconds.
Repeat this test with your client’s head flexed to the right and rotated to the left, then flexed to the left and rotated to the right.
If the Spurling test is positive, it can indicate cervical disc compression or compression of the vertebral arteries. If the test is positive, do not continue treatment of the neck and refer your client to a doctor for further evaluation.
Related Techniques: