1Cervical Retraction
- Stand or sit with an upright posture.
- Draw the chin slightly down and back.
- The movement you are aiming for is a horizontal translation, like a lollypop on a stick.
- A prompt which may be helpful is “imagine giving yourself a double chin”.
- You will feel a gentle activation of the muscles in the anterior aspect of the neck.
2Lumbar Extension
- Stand with your hands in the small of your back.
- Begin to lean backwards, within comfortable limits.
- As you progress through the repetitions, continue easing into the range of motion available to you.
- Repeat as per Physiotherapist guidelines.
3Book Opening
- Lie on your side with your head supported and your knees bent up to 80-90 degrees.
- Place your arms in front of you in front of your chest with hands together.
- Lift your top arm up and over your body towards the floor behind you drawing a semicircle.
- Rotate with the breastbone and ensure the pelvis remains still.
- Hold at the end of movement for a breath.
- Lift the arm up and reverse the semicircle movement until back at the start.
- Complete as per Physiotherapist guidelines.
4Wall Slide
- Stand with your back flat against a wall, feet hip-width apart and positioned about 50–60 cm away from the wall.
- Slowly slide your back down the wall by bending your knees, keeping your hips and shoulders in contact with the wall throughout.
- Lower until your knees are at approximately a 90-degree angle (or as tolerated), with thighs parallel to the ground.
- Ensure your knees remain in line with your toes and do not extend past them.
- Maintain even weight through your heels – avoid shifting onto your toes.
- Keep your core gently engaged and avoid arching your lower back.
- Hold/maintain as prescribed by your physiotherapist.
5Plank [Full]
- Come into a 4-point kneeling position and reach the hands in front of the shoulders.
- Press through the hands as you curl the toes under and straighten the knees.
- There should now be a straight horizontal line from the head to the tailbone.
- Draw the lower belly away from the waist band of your pants.
- Ensure that the buttocks remains in line with the shoulders.
- Note: this can also be performed on the elbows if the wrists are limiting.