Thoracolumbar Extension
Thoracolumbar Flexion
Plane/Axis: Movement occurs in the sagittal plane
Movement occurs around a coronal axis
Range of Motion: Approximately a 4 inch difference between initial
and ending measurements
Preferred Starting Position: the subject should be standing in an
erect position with the arms by the sides.
End Position: The thoracolumbar spine is maximally flexed
forward.
Measurement of Motion: The distance between the spinous
processes of C7 and S1 is measured in standing. The
subject then flexes the trunk as far forward as possible
and the second measurement is taken. The difference
between the two measurements is the amount of
flexion present.
Stabilization: The pelvis should be stabilized to prevent anterior
tilting. Stabilization is achieved through subject
compliance.
(Van Ost, 2010)
Plane/Axis: Movement occurs in the sagittal plane
Movement occurs around a coronal axis
Range of Motion: Approximately a 2 inch difference between the
initial and ending measurements
Preferred Starting Position: The subject should be standing in an
erect position with the arms by the sides.
End Position: The thoracolumbar spine is maximally extended.
Measurement of Motion: The distance between the spinous
processes of C7 and S1 is first measured in standing.
The subject extends the trunk as far backward as
possible and a second measurement is taken. The
difference between the two measurements is the
amount of extension present.
Stabilization:The pelvis should be stabilized to prevent anterior
tilting. Stabilization is achieved through subject
compliance.
(Van Ost, 2010)
Plane/Axis: Movement occurs in the transverse plane
Movement occurs around a vertical axis
Range of Motion: 0-45 degrees
Preferred Starting Position: The subject should be sitting without
a back support to ensure full mobility. The cervical,
thoracic, and lumbar spine should be in a neutral
position with the arms resting by the sides.
End Position: The thorax should be maximally rotated to the
tested side at the end of the movement.
Axis: Align over the center of the top of the head
Stationary Arm: align parallel to an imaginary line between the two
iliac crests.
Moving Arm: Align parallel to the top of the shoulder, siting the
acromion process.
Stabilization: The pelvis should be stabilized during testing.
Stabilization is achieved through subject compliance.
Substitutions: The subject may try to flex, extend, or laterally flex
the trunk, or raise the pelvis to increase the motion.
(Van Ost, 2010)
Plane/Axis: Movement occurs in the frontal plane
Movement occurs around an anterior/posterior axis
Range of Motion: Range of motion is variable because of the
differences in arm and trunk length. The amount of
motion is determined by the comparison of both sides.
Preferred Starting Position: The subject should be standing in an
erect position with the arms by the sides.
End Position: The thoracolumbar spine is maximally laterally
flexed to the tested side.
Measurement of Motion: The distance between the tip of the
middle finger and floor is taken first. The subject then
laterally flexes to the dise as far as possible, and a
second measurement is taken. The difference between
the two measurements is the amount of lateral flexion
present.
Stabilization: The pelvis should be stabilized during testing.
Stabilization is achieved through subject compliance.
(Van Ost, 2010)
Thoracolumbar Rotation
