Deep cervical flexors strength

Hi fellows,

Any ideas on how to test deep neck flexor strength in a clinical setup without a pressure biofeedback unit?

All ideas highly appreciated.

Thanks.

Testing this is likely to cause them considerable discomfort later on. That is for most clients as most have weak deep neck flexors. I tend to test at the same time as giving a home exercise.

Get the client to ly flat in supine. Then ask them (with their mouth remaining softly closed) to take their chin to their sternal notch. I get them to hold this position (without protraction) for 3-5 seconds and release. They might do this 3 times only as a daily exercise during the beginning of a neck retraining program. I warn them that they are likely to feel stiff initially and might also feel a sensation as if the tongue is being pulled back into the throat when performing this exercise.

I suppose I am not putting a number on the actual strength but does one need to? 8o

Hi,
I just would say, I usually think about oppsite side, how
shortness or tightness antagonistic muscles, so test for a suboccipitals.The deep cervical flexors make a small range,cranio-vertebral flexion,rather than over use SCM,or scalenes make a cervical flexion.
First, check his/her posture(cervical,thorasic spine etc..)analysis. check side view, if his/her head is forward from plam line.or he/she has a huge kyphotic thoasis, maybe,his/her deep cervical flexors are weak or shorten of the suboccipitals. or caused by kyphosis...

sorry poor english advise..
good luck.