You are here:About>Health>Back & Neck Pain> Chronic Back - Neck Pain> Glossary> P> Palpation - What is Palpation?
About.comBack & Neck Pain
Newsletters & RSSEmail to a friendSubmit to Digg
Palpation and Neurological Exams - Related

Diagnosing Back PainWhat is Back Pain?Back Pain Symptoms

"Palpation - What is Palpation?"

From Anne Asher,
Your Guide to Back & Neck Pain.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
Definition: Examination by touch.

When a doctor does a spine exam to diagnose back or neck pain, she will touch the suspect areas to help her determine the cause and nature of the pain.

This includes touching the bones of the spine to see if there are fractures, spondylolisthesis, spinal arthritis, infection or other problems. The doctor may also probe the muscles around the spine to feel any spasms or tight, knotted muscles.

Sources:
Child, Z. Basic Orthopedic Exams Wolters Kluwer Health: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. 2007. Baltimore, MD.
Vacarro, A. Spine: Core Knowledge in Orthopedics. Elsevier Mosby 2005. Philadelphia, PA.

Pronunciation: pal-pay-shun
Examples: An examiner will palpate the muscles next to the vertebra to see if they are tight, knotted or are limiting your motion.
Updated: September 18, 2007
About.com is accredited by the Health On the Net Foundation, which promotes reliable and trusted online health information.
 All Topics | Email Article | | |
Advertising Info | News & Events | Work at About | SiteMap | Reprints | HelpOur Story | Be a Guide
More from About, Inc.: Calorie Count Plus | UCompareHealthCare
User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Corrections | Privacy Policy
©2008 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.