Assessing Vascular Function in Patients With Neck Pain, Headache, and/or Orofacial Pain: Part of the Job Description of All Physical Therapists.

SYNOPSIS: Vascular serious adverse events (SAEs) can occur after manipulating, mobilizing, prescribing exercise for and examining the cervical spine. Patients presenting with neck pain and headache who develop a vascular SAE during or after treatment may have vascular flow limitations that were unrecognized and aggravated by treatment. Patients with neck pain and headache-the first non-ischemic symptoms of arterial dissection-frequently access a physical therapist as a first point provider who may or may not have specialist training in orthopedic manual physical therapy (OMPT). All physical therapists irrespective of their training, who are helping patients manage neck pain, headache and/or facial symptoms, must feel confident to identify potential vascular flow limitations of the neck prior to providing treatment. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, Epub 10 May 2021. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.10408.