Cervical arterial dysfunction assessment and manual therapy

Abstract 

In this paper, we present a clinical overview of cervical arterial dysfunction (CAD) for manual therapists who treat patients presenting with cervical pain and headache syndromes. An overview of vertebrobasilar arterial insufficiency (VBI) is given, with reference to assessment procedures recommended by commonly used guidelines. We suggest that the evidence supporting contemporary practice is limited and present a more holistic, evidence-based approach to considering CAD. This approach considers typical pain patterns and clinical progressions of both vertebrobasilar, and internal carotid arterial pathologies. Attention to the risk factors and pathomechanics of arterial dysfunction is also given. We suggest that consideration of the information provided in this Masterclass will enhance the manual therapist's clinical reasoning with regard to differential diagnosis of cervical pain syndromes, and prediction of serious adverse reactions to treatment.

Keywords: Vertebrobasilar insufficiency, Internal carotid artery, Arterial dissection, Haemodynamics, Clinical reasoning