Neck Mobility Assessment
Introduction
The Neck Mobility movement assessment is essential for evaluating the range of motion and functional health of the cervical spine. This assessment examines how well the neck can move in various directions, including flexion, extension, and lateral bending. Assessing neck mobility helps identify any limitations, stiffness, or imbalances in the cervical region, which can impact overall movement efficiency and comfort. Proper neck mobility is crucial for daily activities such as turning the head, maintaining posture, and performing tasks that require head movement.
Purpose and Functionality
The Neck Mobility assessment is a tool used in movement screenings to evaluate the functional range of motion and health of the cervical spine. It helps determine how well the neck can move in various directions, which is crucial for identifying limitations, imbalances, or potential issues in neck function.
What It Evaluates
Cervical Flexion: This movement is measured by assessing how well the neck can bend forward, bringing the chin towards the chest. It evaluates the range of motion in the cervical spine and the flexibility of the neck muscles and ligaments. Restricted cervical flexion may reveal tightness in the posterior neck muscles or issues with the cervical spine joints.
Cervical Extension: This movement is evaluated by measuring how well the neck can extend backward, looking up towards the ceiling. It assesses the ability of the cervical spine to move into an extended position and the flexibility of the anterior neck muscles. Limited cervical extension can indicate tightness or restriction in the anterior neck muscles or cervical vertebrae.
Scoring Cervical Flexion
Cervical flexion is measured by assessing how close the chin moves towards the chest, with reference to the chin and sternum. The scoring is on a scale of 0-100%, where angles greater than 40° score 100%, and less than 20° score 0%. Scores between these values are scored linearly.
Scoring:
Scoring Cervical Extension
Cervical extension is calculated by measuring the head's backward tilt from a neutral position, using landmarks like the chin and cervical spine. The scoring is on a scale of 0-100%, where angles greater than 40° score 100%, and less than 20° score 0%. Scores between these values are scored linearly.
