Summary

What it measures:

Aids in the clinical diagnosis of problems or injury in the nerves of the cervical spine

On performing the Valsalva maneuver, intraspinal pressure slightly increases such that neuropathies or radicular pain may be felt or exacerbated, which may indicate impingement on a nerve by an intervertebral disk or other part of the anatomy. (Johnson, Smith, & Spalding, 1969)

Target Population:

Patients with suspected changes in upper limb neural sensitivity (eg, cervical radiculopathy, carpal tunnel syndrome)