Published July 2, 2026Read time 1 min readReaders 3
What is the "Cervical Flexion Rotation Test" used for?
Determine the mobility of the upper cervical spine (C1–C2)
Determine if the upper cervical spine is the cause of a cervicogenic headache.
How to perform the "Cervical Flexion Rotation Test"?
The patient is in supine lying position.
The examiner sits or stands at the head of the patient and flexes the cervical spine fully.
While holding the flexed position, the examiner then rotates the head left and right.
What is the positive result?
Normal rotation in the flexed position should be about 45° each way. Maintaining the flexed position is more likely to isolate the rotation to the C1–C2 area so that C1–C2 dysfunction may be evident if the rotation is less (hypomobility) or more (hypermobility) than normal.
If the patient also has a headache, the restricted range of motion to one side is likely to be cervicogenic in nature, not a migraine or other type of headache.
