Use cotton wool:

Use a fine wisp of cotton or your fingers to touch the skin lightly

Ask the patient to respond (say "yes") whenever a touch is felt

Test the following areas and ask the patient to tell you if there is any asymmetry:

1. Shoulders (C4)
2. Inner and outer aspects of the forearms (C6 and T1)
3. Thumbs and little fingers (C6 and C8)

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