Diagnostics Cervical Spine
C3-C5 rotation passive

Instruct the person to sit comfortably, with feet on the floor and hands relaxed on the lap. Begin palpating for the processus spinosus of C2, noting that lateral to this position, there is no processus transversus; only the arcus of C2 is present. A little lower, locate the processus transversus of C3 with the same hand on the other side. Pinch softly C3 between the index finger and thumb.

To assess joint play between these two vertebrae, mimic the physiological movement as accurately as possible. Ask the person to remain in a neutral, upright position while you approach their head with your body, touching their head with your chest around the region of processus xyphoïdeus (incinatum). Applying compression on that side of the cervical spine will induce a shift in the opposite direction. Ensure that the hand holding C3 moves in the same direction as the shift, as well as C2, held with the other hand. This ensures that the movements create translation and shifting in the uncovertebral joints of the cervical vertebrae, maintaining maximum contact in the facies articularis of the uncovertebral joints for balance.

Consider that the cervical spine is not positioned in a vertical line; factors such as cervical lordosis and the individual position of the cervical spine for that person should be taken into account when making movements. The cervical spine is a delicate part of the spine, with only a few vertebrae covering a large degree of freedom in movement aspects such as speed, accuracy, coordination, and holding positions against external forces.
When one or more joint(s) do not move properly, others compensate. This compensation can lead to overload in the specific joint or cause the one not functioning properly to remain in an insufficient state.

Both scenarios are potential reasons for complaints, symptoms, and/or signs of dysfunction.