Split Stance Spinal Mobility With Frontal Plane Hip and Arm Driver

In the video below you will see an example of how I have used the hip and upper limb to drive motion through the spine (with the primary aim being to increase right sided spinal side bending) to help open up the spine on the left hand side.  I initially started with the client in a traditional static QL stretch, however the client did not report much of a positive effect.  I then took this to the floor level in the 4 point kneeling position and had the client raise their left arm up and move it across the body in the frontal plane.  This still did not give me the effect I was looking for, so I then took it to the split kneeling stance position where the added hip frontal plane movement could be incorporated.  Had this not yielded the result I was looking for, I would have looked to add some stability to the individual by having them hold onto something in this position or move them to the true stretch.

Next time you have a client and are looking to prescribe an exercise, dont stop at trying just one if it isnt giving you the results you are looking for, make sure you think outside the box and consider all the different variables such as start/stop position, pre position, range of motion, speed, drivers, direction and angle of movement etc.    These concepts have been borrowed from the Gray Institute (Gary Gray and David Tiberio) who are leaders in exercise rehab and movement assessment and treatment.

Keep a look out for future articles where I will endeavour to demonstrate some of my thought processes with my movement prescription.

This blog post was written by Osteopath Heath Williams of Principle Four Osteopathy.

Principle Four Osteopathy

Principle Four Osteopathy is one of Melbourne City CBD leading Osteopathy clinics. At the clinic we treat a wide range of clients, ranging from the office worker, exercise enthusiast to athlete. We have 3 experienced osteopaths working across both of the clinics.

The Melbourne City CBD clinic is located at 29 Somerset Place (basement), close to the corner of Elizabeth St and Little Bourke in the Melbourne City CBD. Our premises adjoin the Jon Weller Personal Training Studio, a fully-equipped training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials or specific training programs and rehabilitation.

The Docklands clinic is located at 717 Bourke St (Ground Floor), beneath the Channel 9 building near the walkway from Southern Cross Train Station to Etihad Stadium. Our premises adjoin Pilates on Bourke, a fully-equipped pilates and yoga training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials, pilates or specific training programs and rehabilitation.

To speak to an Osteopath or book an appointment at Principle Four Osteopathy, please book online or call 03 9670 9290.