Table 1 Spine mobilizing exercise protocol
Activity | Description | Initial dose | Goals for progression |
|---|---|---|---|
Mid-range spinal mobility exercises | • Supine pelvic tilts to promote lumbar flexion/extension • Quadruped rocking into lumbar flexion/extension • Supine to side lying rotational mobilizations • Sitting rotational mobilizations • Flexion/Extension | 10–20 repetitions each direction performed daily (each exercise) | Full, pain-free ROM, progress to 40 repetitions throughout the day |
Exercises specifically into spinal flexion | • Supine pelvic tilt • Quadruped rocking into lumbar flexion • Double knee-to-chest while supine • Standing flexion • Seated flexion • Self-mobilization into flexion | 10–20 repetitions performed daily (prescribe 2 exercises) | Full, pain-free ROM, progress to 40 repetitions throughout the day |
Exercises specifically into spinal extension | • Supine pelvic tilt • Quadruped rocking into lumbar flexion • Supported on elbows while prone 30 s • Prone press-ups to extended elbows • Prone press-ups to extended elbows with exhale • Extension while standing • Extension in standing with self over pressure | 10–20 repetitions performed daily (prescribe 2 exercises) | Full, pain-free ROM, progress to 40 repetitions throughout the day |