Passive physiological intervertebral movements (PPIVM) refers to a spinal

physical therapy Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is one of the allied health professions. It is provided by physical therapists who promote, maintain, or restore health through physical examination, diagnosis, management, prognosis, patient ...

assessment and treatment technique developed by Geoff Maitland used to assess intervertebral movement at a single joint, and to mobilise neck stiffness.Geoffrey Douglas Maitland, Elly Hengeveld, Kevin Banks, Kay English, (2005). ''Maitland's Vertebral Manipulation, Volume 1.'' Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann. .

Technique

PPIVM is used as an assessment technique to assist with identifying the location, nature, severity and irritability of vertebral symptoms. They can be used to test for

cervical In anatomy, cervical is an adjective that has two meanings: # of or pertaining to any neck. # of or pertaining to the female cervix: i.e., the ''neck'' of the uterus. *Commonly used medical phrases involving the neck are **cervical collar **cervic ...

lumbar In tetrapod anatomy, lumbar is an adjective that means ''of or pertaining to the abdominal segment of the torso, between the diaphragm and the sacrum.'' The lumbar region is sometimes referred to as the lower spine, or as an area of the back i ...

joint hypermobility or instability, or whether a joint is locked. PPIVM assessments test the movement available at a specific spinal level through the application of a passive physiological movement. Cervical PPIVMs can be performed in cervical lateral flexion or rotation, with the therapist restricting movement beyond a certain cervical level by blocking with the hand; this allows the identification of the exact spinal level where patient symptoms occur. In regards to the lumbar spine, the technique is performed with the therapist reaching under the patient's knees, and lifting to obtain the desired lumbar movement whilst assessing the movement of the

spinous process The spinal column, a defining synapomorphy shared by nearly all vertebrates,Hagfish are believed to have secondarily lost their spinal column is a moderately flexible series of vertebrae (singular vertebra), each constituting a characteristic i ...

using the fingers.

Clinical evidence

Although studies have suggested that the technique provides good intra-tester reliability, the reliability has also been reported to be poor.Phillips, D., Twomey, L., (1996). A comparison of manual diagnosis with a diagnosis established by a uni-level lumbar spinal block procedure. ''Manual therapy'', Vol 2, 82-87.

References

{{reflist Physical therapy

Technique

Clinical evidence

See also

References