A physical therapist performs the test below on a patient wi…
A physical therapist performs the test below on a patient with left C6 cervical radiculopathy who has had symptoms for the past several months. The patient reports minimal pain (3/10) radiating into the left hand and index finger at the end of the motion that reduces with her head motion at the end of the test. Which manual therapy technique would be most appropriate to address this positive test?
Read DetailsDuring an active range of motion assessment of the cervical…
During an active range of motion assessment of the cervical spine, the physical therapist measures a total of 50 degrees of right active cervical rotation in a neutral with the patient seated edge of the mat. The therapist then places the patient into the following special test below, noting limitations at 10 degrees of right cervical rotation. Where is the primary limitation in the patient’s rotation range of motion stemming from?
Read DetailsCase Study Phillip: A physical therapist is treating a 34-ye…
Case Study Phillip: A physical therapist is treating a 34-year-old male, Phillip, who reports neck pain as his chief complaint. Phillip has experienced this pain for the past 8 years, following a motor vehicle accident (MVA) that resulted in a 2-day hospital stay, 8 weeks of collar immobilization, and several physical therapy sessions. He states that he has “never felt the same” since the accident, describing his pain as constant, with no clear aggravating or easing factors. His pain is diffuse and difficult to pinpoint. Additionally, Phillip is currently going through a divorce and a custody battle for his children. Recently, he underwent an MRI that revealed disc bulging, degenerative disc disease, and foraminal stenosis, with his neck pain worsening significantly. The objective examination is challenging, as he reports pain levels of 8-9/10 and demonstrates empty end-feels during all cervical spine range of motion tests. Phillip flinches in pain whenever his neck is touched or palpated by the therapist. Before the PT starts to implement the plan of care, the patient shares with him that he is considering trying these interventions, but is still scared and slightly hesitant to do so. What stage of the transtheoretical model of change is this patient in?
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