SNAGS is an acronym for "sustained natural apophyseal glides and is a useful treatment for selected patients with pain eminating from the axial skeleton. In  the cervical spine, they are performed in the sitting position.  The therapist applies manual pressure with the thumbs to either the spinous process or articular pillar of a specific vertebrae. The pressure is gently applied along the facet joint plain.  In the middle and lower cervical joints this would be upwardly in a 45 degree angle.  The patient actively moves their neck through one of the motions that were found painful during the physical examination.  If applied to the direct location, the motion is now painless throughout the range.  Passive motion is then applied to end range.  This motion is repeated three times.  The patient is then re-examined.

Rudyard Kipling said “I keep six honest serving men (They taught me all I knew);  their names are What and Why and When and How and Where and Who (1).

To read the full article, you need to Purchase this issue. CLICK HERE TO ORDER NOW.