What is a stork test?

Answer 1

In the field of osteopathy, the stork test if a test for the Sacoiliac joint.

Here is the test.

The Stork Test

• The athlete stands with their back to the therapist, holding onto something for support.
• The posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) and a spinous process exactly horizontal to it are marked with a small cross.
• The therapist places one thumb on the PSIS and the other thumb on the spinous process opposite
• The athlete raises one knee up as high as it will go
• If the Sacroiliac joint is functional then the posterior-superior iliac spine will move down under its original position. This means it is allowing the ilia to rotate.
• This is shown as the therapists thumb (on the PSIS) will move down below the thumb on the spinous process.
• A dysfunctional SI joint will not allow the ilia to rotate and so the therapists thumb will stay where it is or move up.