Foraminal Compression (Spurling’s) Test

Used if patient has history or complaints of nerve root symptoms, which at the time of examination are diminished or absent. Test provokes symptoms.

Position:
Seated

Performance:
Patient side flexes the head to the unaffected side first. Examiner carefully presses down on the head.
Performed bilaterally

Positive:
The test is positive if pain radiates into the arm towards which the side flexed during compression, indicates compression of the nerve root. The pain on the opposite side of the flex side during compression indicated muscle spasm in a condition such as Whiplash syndrome, also referred to as Reverse Spurling’s sign.