The acute cervical joint lock

The purpose of this article is to describe a method for assessing and treating patients with acute cervical joint lock. The assessment method enables the therapist to differentiate between acute cervical joint lock and spondylosis or acute cervical joint sprain. Treatment by mobilization or manipulation or both according to the Maitland approach is described. The contraindications to this type of treatment are described, and the efficacy of the Maitland approach is supported.