Manual Techniques for the Cervicothoracic Spine

Original Editors - Dana Tew

Top Contributors - Kim Jackson, Dana Tew, Mariam Hashem, Abbey Wright, Aya Alhindi and Samuel Winter


Cervico-Thoracic Spine Joint Manipulation [edit | edit source]

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Cervico-thoracic spine joint manipulations or mobilisations are a physiotherapy or chiropractic intervention that can be used for neck, back or shoulder pain.[1]

Conditions treated[edit | edit source]

Neck pain[edit | edit source]

Some evidence has shown that grade IV cervical spine mobilisations (unilateral and central PA) can have an increase in deep neck flexor strength[1].

Thoracic mobilisations alongside deep flexor strengthening exercises have also been shown to help reduce chronic neck pain.[2]

Thoracic pain[edit | edit source]

Shoulder pain[edit | edit source]

Some studies have shown that cervical and thoracic joint mobilisations can help to reduce pain and improve ROM in some patients presenting with sub-acromial pain syndrome[3].

[4]

[5]


Thoracic Spine Joint Manipulation and Mobilization[edit | edit source]

[6]

[7]

[8]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Gauri Milind Ghan & V. Sarath Babu. Immediate Effect of Cervico-thoracic Mobilization on Deep Neck Flexors Strength in Individuals with Forward Head Posture: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, (2020)
  2. Taesung Ko, Uichul Jeong, Kwanwoo Lee, Effects of the Inclusion Thoracic Mobilization into Cranio-Cervical Flexor Exercise in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain, Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 2010, Volume 22, Issue 1, Pages 87-91
  3. S Jena, M Pattnaik, P Mohanty, Effect of cervico-thoracic mobilisation on hemiplegic shoulder pain with supraspinatus tendonitis due to impingement syndrome: an experimental study. International Journal of Physiotherapy and Research, Int J Physiother Res 2016, Vol 4(3):1510-17
  4. Maitland Techniques-All. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pncefI5qyog
  5. SNAGs Lower Cervical Spine C3-7 Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTKOoV5wHBU
  6. Upper thoracic functional mobilization. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMThXJf6mrE
  7. Thoracic Spine mobilization. Reverse Nag. Mulligan Mobilization with movement Technique MWM. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8juGfCJOcc
  8. Mid Thoracic Spine PA Manipulation. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpsxLSn3sQo