1Lumbar Extension
- Lying on your stomach, placing your hands under your shoulders.
- Breathe in and on the breathe out, gently press through the palm of hands.
- Begin to lift your chest off the mat while straightening your arms.
- Make sure to keep your hips firmly pressed into the floor and keep your buttocks relaxed.
- Start by going nice and slowly into the movement, only going to the limit of your available movement.
- Do not push into pain.
- Hold the position for a few seconds at the top.
- Lower your chest slowly and return to the starting position.
- Repeat as instructed by your physiotherapist.
2Lumbar Rotation
- Lie on your back with your knees bent so your feet are flat on the ground.
- Keeping your knees together, gently rock them to one side.
- Simultaneously look the other direction from where your knees are falling.
- Repeat this in the other direction for the prescribed amount or as otherwise instructed by your physiotherapist.
3Knee to Chest [Opposite Hip Extension]
- Start with both knees straight.
- Gently pull your knee towards your chest.
- Hold this position or gently move in and out.
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.
5Sit to Stand
- Sitting, shuffle your bottom forward towards the front of the chair.
- Please use your hands on the chair if needed – or attempt with no hands if able.
- Lean your trunk forward and place your weight firmly on the floor.
- Press through your feet and press the knees gently wide.
- Press through your feet (and hands if needed) and stand up.
- To reverse the process, ensure you can feel the chair at the back of your knees.
- Place your hands back to feel for the chair.
- Let your sit bones swing back bending your knees and leaning your trunk forward.
- Lower yourself slowly and safely to the chair.
- Repeat as prescribed.