NECK, TRUNK, AND

LOWER EXTREMITY
Manual Muscle Testing

#36 – NECK FLEXORS / SCM

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Testing Position
The patient is in the supine position. With the shoulders in abduction and the elbows
flexed. Patient rotates the head away as much as possible from the side being tested and
lifts it from the table.

Test
Pressure is applied by the therapist against the temporal area in the posteriolateral
direction. The patient may attempt to rotate the neck medially recruiting the Scalenes and
other neck flexors.
 NECK, TRUNK, AND
LOWER EXTREMITY
Manual Muscle Testing

#37 – NECK FLEXORS /

SCALENI
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Testing Position
The patient is in the supine position. With the shoulders in abduction and the elbows
flexed. Patient rotates the head 10° away from the side being tested and lifts it from the
table. The head should maintain midline with no lateral tilt.

Test
Pressure is applied by the therapist against the forehead in the direction of neck extension.
The patient may attempt to rotate the neck medially recruiting the Scalenes on the
opposite side and other neck flexors.
 NECK, TRUNK, AND
LOWER EXTREMITY
Manual Muscle Testing

#38 – CERVICAL ROTATION

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Testing Position
The patient is in a seated position. Arms are down by the side. Patient rotates the head
45° toward from the side being tested.

Test
Pressure is applied by the therapist against the side of the head in the direction of midline.
The patient may attempt to laterally flex the neck to compensate for weak rotators.
 NECK, TRUNK, AND
LOWER EXTREMITY
Manual Muscle Testing

#39 – NECK EXTENSORS

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Testing Position
Patient in the prone position with shoulders and elbows flexed to approximately 90° so
that the hands are held above the head and off the table, face turned toward side being
tested.

Test
Pressure is applied by the therapist against the posteriolateral aspect of the head in the
direction toward the table.
 NECK, TRUNK, AND
LOWER EXTREMITY
Manual Muscle Testing

#40 – BACK EXTENSORS

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Testing Position
The patient is in prone and hyperextends and rotates the spine without the aid of the arms.

Test
The therapist stabilizes the thighs against the table, and directs pressure against the thorax
on the side of rotation toward flexing the spine.
 NECK, TRUNK, AND
LOWER EXTREMITY
Manual Muscle Testing

#41 – QUADRATUS
LUMBORUM
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Testing Position
The patient is in supine, with the pelvis laterally flexed in relation to the trunk. This
approximates the crest of the ilium and the lateral aspect of the thoracic cage on the side
of the test.

Test
The therapist contacts the ankles by reaching over the legs. The test pressure is directed
to bring the legs to the center line of the table. The therapist must observe for separation
of the crest of the ilium and the thoracic cage, indicating failure. The patient may attempt
to rotate the hip anteriorly or posteriorly to compensate for a weak Quadratus Lumborum.