Muscle Testing

A Concise Manual

Earle Abrahamson, Jane Langston

• Publisher: Handspring Publishing
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9781912085668
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Medicina
• Subtopic: Medicina alternativa y complementaria

Muscle testing – A Concise Manual, provides a reference for understanding how structure relates to function, and how by knowing function we can learn structural configurations. Often muscular anatomy is taught as a dry subject whereby each muscle is painstakingly reviewed and the learner is expected to cite origin, insertion, action, nerve supply and blood supply. This commonly used approach may not necessarily aid understanding of muscle function, nor does it demonstrate muscular positioning. Through muscle testing, one is better equipped to consider how muscles function individually and in working groups. It is the knowledge of symmetrical movement, range of motion, contractile patterns, resistance and gravity that provides the fuller picture for muscle function and dysfunction.

The text is organised in such a way as to enable the reader to understand anatomical position and assessment of muscular contractile strength. The manual provides movement-relevant illustrations to aid understanding of muscle location and testing positions. This is further enhanced through links to video footage for each test.

The book summarises the key anatomical facts and figures, give methods for muscle testing by several techniques, and provides clinically useful information to supplement the tests.

Section

2

MUSCLE TESTS BY REGION

Head and neck

Shoulder and elbow

Forearm and wrist

Torso and trunk

Pelvis

Thigh and knee

Lower leg, ankle, and foot

STERNOCLEIDOMASTOID (SCM)

The name of this muscle provides important attachment information: sterno = sternum, cleido = clavicle, mastoid = mastoid process of the temporal bone.

Origin

Sternal head – manubrium of sternum

Clavicular head – medial clavicle

Insertion

Mastoid process of temporal bone

Action

Rotation of head and neck to the contralateral side

Lateral flexion of head and neck to the ipsilateral side

Bilaterally the muscle aids in forward flexion of the neck and assists elevation of the ribs during inhalation

Helps to control neck extension by eccentrically loading the sternocleidomastoid

Nerve supply

Spinal accessory nerve (CN XI), C2–C3

Arterial supply

Occipital artery

Superior thyroid artery

Clinical facts

Upper fibers of sternocleidomastoid may blend with the posterior lateral edge of the trapezius.

Based on the attachment points on the sternum and clavicle, some anatomists argue that an associated function of the muscle is the elevation of the anterior aspect of the ribcage, thereby describing it, in part, as an accessory respiratory muscle.

The position of sternocleidomastoid, especially its medial border, makes it susceptible to vascular traumas. The medial aspect lies close to the carotid arteries and sinus. Palpation of sternocleidomastoid requires careful consideration as increased pressure over the carotid sinus and artery could lead to a drop in blood pressure and a possible bout of unconsciousness.

Excessive hyperextension and/or flexion, e.g. whiplash trauma, could lead to tears within sternocleidomastoid.

Palpation

1.Client is seated or supine with the head rotated to one side. With this position, a visual examination will reveal the borders of the muscle.

2.Place palpating fingers over the muscle fibers and instruct the client to flex or rotate their head to one side. Caution should be exercised when palpating as increased pressure could impede vascular function.

3.Note the contraction within the muscle tissue.

Manual muscle test

Position

Supine with neck flexed and slightly rotated to contralateral side.

Test

Examiner applies a resistance force posteriorly and laterally by placing their hand over the lateral aspect of th...