The range of motion (ROM) of the neck is a measure of the neck's ability to move along a particular axis. This procedure measures the neck's lateral flexion, the neck's ability to move from side to side, such as when you touch your ear to your shoulder. The ROM of the neck is typically measured in degrees from the neutral position to the limit of travel on each side.
Step 1
Place the center of the goniometer's central portion over the base of your subject's neck, where it joins with the shoulders. Align the fixed arm of the goniometer with the midline of your subject's back and align the movable arm with the midline of your subject's head. The two arms of the goniometer should form a straight line, and the central portion should show a reading of 180 degrees.
Step 2
Instruct your subject to tilt his head towards his left shoulder. Align the movable arm of the goniometer with the midline of the head and record the goniometer's reading. Subtract 180 degrees from this value to obtain the ROM of your subject's left lateral neck flexion. The ROM should be about 45 degrees.
Step 3
Instruct your subject to tilt his head towards his right shoulder. Align the movable arm of the goniometer with the midline of the head and record the goniometer's reading. Subtract this value from 180 degrees to obtain your subject's right lateral neck flexion. The ROM should be about 45 degrees. The total ROM of the lateral neck flexion should be about 90 degrees.
Things You'll Need
- Medical goniometer
