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.
2Scapula Retraction [Isolated]
- Come into lying on your stomach with your forehead supported on a pillow to allow for some breathing room.
- Place the palms up towards the roof if comfortable.
- Draw the shoulder blades together.
- Slowly lower them back to the starting position with the shoulders resting down.
- Repeat as per Physiotherapist’s 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.
4Bridge [Segmental]
- Push through your feet to lift your bum up in the air.
- When lowering down, try to roll your spine down one segment/vertebrae at a time.
- This is a great way to re-introduce flexion/bending in a safe and comfortable position.
5Cat-Cow
- Start on your hands and knees, with your hands under your shoulders, and knees under your hips.
- Allow your stomach to slowly drop down.
- Hold this position.
- Next, arch your back up by tucking your head and tailbone in, and pulling your belly button in towards your spine.
- Hold this position and repeat.
6Lumbar Flexion – Childs Pose
- Come into 4 point kneeling on a soft surface.
- Widen the knees to the width of the mat or as comfortable.
- Gently pushing through the palms, send the buttocks towards the heels and allow the arms to rest on the mat.
- Breathe deeply into the belly and relax the shoulders, neck and jaw.
- Sustain as advised by your Physiotherapist.