Lhermitte sign test: How to perform, interpret, and act on findings
The Lhermitte sign test is a clinical assessment that provokes a brief, electric shock-like sensation down the spine when the patient flexes their neck forward. A positive result points to irritation or demyelination of the posterior columns of the cervical spinal cord. According to StatPearls (NCBI), it is one of the most recognizable signs in […]
Tension headache stretches: 8 moves for fast relief
Tension headache stretches target the neck, shoulder, and upper back muscles that tighten under stress, poor posture, and long hours of sitting. They are one of the most effective non-drug tools for both immediate relief and long-term prevention. The World Health Organization puts headache disorders at roughly 40% of the world’s population, or 3.1 billion […]
Thoracic outlet syndrome exercises: A phased rehab guide
Thoracic outlet syndrome exercises are the first-line treatment for the nerve compression, arm pain, numbness, and shoulder tension that define this condition. The program runs in four phases: pain reduction, mobility, strengthening, then a return to full function. Scalene and pec minor stretches, chin tucks, scapular retraction, and brachial plexus nerve glides carry most of […]
TheraBand exercises: Upper body, lower body, core and rehab guide
TheraBand exercises are resistance movements performed with color-coded elastic bands, used to build strength, restore mobility, and support rehabilitation at home. The band color sets the resistance. Yellow is lightest, then red, green, blue, black, and silver or gold. Most adults start on yellow or red, and progress once 15 reps feel easy. This guide […]
Talar tilt test: How to perform, interpret, and use it clinically
The talar tilt test is a hands-on assessment of the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), performed by applying a controlled inversion stress to the hindfoot. A positive result means the talus tilts further than it should, the end-feel goes soft, or the inversion reproduces the patient’s lateral ankle pain. A 2022 systematic review published in PubMed Central […]
Cliniko vs Nookal: Which allied health software wins in 2026?
Cliniko vs Nookal comes down to three things: Billing complexity, practice size, and location. Cliniko wins for smaller allied health practices that want a clean system and a fast start. Nookal wins for larger or multi-location practices that need native HICAPS claiming, DVA billing, and case management. Both platforms serve allied health almost exclusively: Physiotherapists, […]
Ottawa knee rules: The 5 criteria, application and accuracy
The Ottawa knee rules are a validated clinical decision tool that determines which patients with acute knee injuries need an x-ray to exclude a fracture. Stiell et al. first published them in 1995 at the Ottawa Civic and General Hospitals in Canada. According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the rules have a […]
Hip scour test: How to perform, interpret, and document findings
The hip scour test is a passive orthopedic maneuver for intra-articular hip pain. The examiner compresses the femoral head into the acetabulum and sweeps the hip from adduction to abduction. Pain, catching, crepitus, or apprehension during that arc is a positive result. A positive finding points to a labral tear, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), or hip […]
Brief pain inventory: Assessment template and scoring guide
The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) is a validated questionnaire that measures pain intensity and how much pain interferes with daily life. Dr Charles Cleeland developed it as the Wisconsin Brief Pain Questionnaire at the University of Wisconsin in 1983. Cleeland later moved to MD Anderson Cancer Center, which now maintains and licenses the tool used […]
Overhead squat assessment form
An overhead squat assessment is a functional movement screen. It evaluates dynamic flexibility, core strength, neuromuscular control, and balance while a client holds a weight overhead during a bodyweight squat. It identifies compensation patterns and muscle imbalances that may predispose individuals to injury and guides the selection of corrective exercises. Movement practitioners, including personal trainers, […]