Anatomy 101: the upper cervical spine

November 20, 2018 by Sian Smale

"The anatomy of the high cervical spine is unique and, to some degree, more complicated to assess than the rest of the vertebral column. The shape of the bones and their articulations are distinctly different between the occiput and atlas, atlas and axis, and axis and C3. Such a marked change in anatomy does not occur in such close proximity anywhere else in the vertebral column" (Edwards, 1992, pp. 42-43).

Due to the close proximity of this region of the spine, careful consideration must be made when understanding which level is being loaded under pressure, and what sensitising movements can be applied to differentiate between intra-articular and periarticular restrictions to movement. This blog explores the key features of clinical anatomy and offers tips for structural differentiation with palpation.

Lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy - a case study

February 27, 2015 by Sian Smale

How would you treat a patient presenting with severe low back pain radiating into their leg? What treatments do you fall back on day 1? Lets take a look at my clinical reasoning of a young female with lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy.

Cervicogenic Headache

November 23, 2014 by Sian Smale

Cervicogenic headache is a secondary headache arising from a musculoskeletal dysfunction within the cervical spine, and is a disorder that many physiotherapists treat. The purpose of this blog is to explore the clinical assessment of CGH, outline the debate on manual therapy skills which has been ongoing since 1988, and to discuss the manual examination procedure performed by the clinicians used in the landmark research trials.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - Clinical Anatomy & Assessment

September 29, 2014 by Sian Smale

This blog is a review of the clinical presentation and assessment of dysfunction of the Temporomandibular joint. The aim is to discuss TMJ disorders and their connection to OR differentiation from upper cervical joint dysfunctions and headaches. This information will be applied to a recent patient in the second blog.

Movement Diagrams

December 08, 2013 by Sian Smale

Movement diagrams are a tool used to aid teaching and communication, i.e. an objective means of quantifying the relationship between movement and pain determined during a passive examination technique. This is a tutorial on how to construct and interpret movement diagrams.