Purpose:

• Assess the Range of Motion of the Spine

POSITION:

• Sit on a bench with Feet firmly on the floor and Hands interlaced behind the Head.

SPINAL FLEXION:

• Fold forward and attempt to touch the Elbows to the Kneecaps, not the Thighs, while Feet remain firmly on the floor.

SPINAL EXTENSION:

• Lean backwards with the Shoulders and Head and attempt to gaze up at the sky (180º) while the Feet remain firmly on the floor.

PREHAB EXERCISES 

• Soft Tissue Therapy (Mobility) for Chest and Back muscles, especially the Upper Trapezius (Shoulder), Pectorals (Chest), and Latissimus Dorsi (Back) Muscles.
• Stretch (Mobility) the Neck, Shoulder, Chest, and Back muscles.
• Activate Core and Shoulder Muscles, especially the Shoulder Girdle, Rotator Cuff, and Anterior Core (Abdominals and Oblique) muscles.
• Start with Mobility exercises and progress to Activation and Stability exercises if the Spine fails to exhibit a full Range of Motion.