• July 2, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• PCC,118AB

Utilizing Repeated Motions Assessment and Cluster Tests to Improve Your Examination of Cervical Spine Disorders

Athletic Trainers are often tasked with assessing and managing non-catastrophic disorders of the cervical spine. Determining origin of tissue involvement is vital to planning an effective treatment strategy to maximize treatment outcomes and minimize time loss. This presentation will review cervical spine anatomy and mechanics as a prelude to developing an examination process to determine how to best manage these conditions. Through lecture and lab activities, an efficient examination process will be discussed, as well as tips for rehabilitation and self-management. The goal is to instill confidence and mastery in dealing with cervical spine disorders for the practicing clinician.

Learning Objectives - Identify the anatomy and mechanics of the cervical spine, emphasizing the unique characteristics to consider for this region, and how it impacts injury rates and examination strategies.
- Apply a clinical examination process that is tailored to findings encountered in the history and initial assessment, with an emphasis on meaningful provocative testing strategies, and end-range loading approaches.
- Select initial treatment strategies that are determined by whether nociceptive or neuropathic findings predominate in the assessment process, and if a directional preference is encountered.
- Identify key determinants in the examination process, as well as clinically relevant management strategies.

Lab Objectives
- Use Cluster Testing for the identification of Cervical Facet Syndromes.

Keywords: Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy; Nociceptive; Cluster-Testing