MMT Cervical Spine

Question 0

MMT: cervical extension

Answer 0

Longissimus cervicis, semispinalis cervicis, iliocoastalis cervicis
Grades 5,4,3,2,1,0
Pt position: prone head off table, arms at sides
Therapist position: next to pt, one hand over parieto-occipital area for resistance, other and spotting chin
Test: extend neck without tilting chin
Command: “push up on my hand but keep looking at the floor”

Question 1

MMT: capital extension

Answer 1

Rectus capitis posterior major, rectus capitis posterior minor, longissimus capitis
Grades 5,4,3,2,1,0
Pt position: prone with head off table, arms at sides
Therapist position: at side of pt next to head with one hand applying resistance over occiput, other hand beneath chin for support if head fails
Test: tilt chin upward in nodding motion
Command: “look at wall, hold it, don’t let me tilt your head down”

Question 2

MMT: cervical combined extension

Answer 2

Grades 5,4,3,2,1,0
Pt position: prone head off table, arms at sides
Therapist position: next to pt, one hand over parieto-occipital area for resistance, other hand spotting chin
Test: lift head and look up
Command: “lift your head and look at ceiling”

Question 3

MMT: capital flexion

Answer 3

Rectus capitis anterior, rectus capitis lateralis, longus capitis
Grades 5,4,3,2,1,0
Pt position: supine, head on table with arms at sides
Therapist position: at head of table facing pt; both hands cupped under mandible to give resistance upward and backward
Test: tuck chin into neck without raising head from table
Command: “tuck your chin, don’t lift your head from table”

Question 4

MMT: cervical flexion

Answer 4

Sternocleidomastoid, longus colli, anterior scalene
Grades 5,4,3
Pt position: supine, head on table with arms at sides
Therapist position: standing next to the head, resistance placed over forehead using only two fingers. Stabilize trunk only when trunk flexors are weak
Test: lift head straight up from table without tucking chin
Grades 2,1,0
Therapist position: fingers of both hands placed over SCM
Test: turn head from side to side

Question 5

MMT: combined cervical flexion

Answer 5

Grades 5,4,3,2,1,0
Pt position: supine, head on the table with arms at sides
Therapist position: one hand giving resistance over forehead, stabilize trunk as necessary
Test: flex head and neck, bring chin to chest
Command: “bring your head up until chin on chest, don’t raise your shoulders”

Question 6

MMT: cervical rotation

Answer 6

Grades 5,4,3
Pt position: supine head turned to one side
Therapist position: hand for resistance over side of head above ear
Test: rotate head to neutral
Command: “turn your head and face ceiling”
Grades 2,1,0
Pt position: sitting with head in neutral
Therapist position: stand directly in front of pt
Test: try to rotate head side to side with neutral neck/chin
Command: “turn your head as far as possible, keep your chin level”