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Lumbar rotations

This is a good mobility move for a part of the body that is often too stiff and immobile due to our sedentary lives.  It is also one of the basic 5 daily mobility moves that Colin Gordon recommends

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sfdc said…
You have got to be very, very careful with this move. The lumbar spine and intervertebral discs will be subjected to a moderate to high level of shear force. Based on design, the lumbar spine can withstand compression and distraction, but not a shear force. Moreover - take a look at the facet joints of a lumbar vertebrae. They prevent rotation - the motion is coming from t-spine and SIJ. The focus should be on hip and t-spine mobility.
August 12, 2011 at 4:43 AM
Chris said…
Thanks - I take your points: lower back is for stability not mobility
August 13, 2011 at 2:08 AM
Dr. John said…
Along kinetic chains in the body, our "joint complexes" alternate from stability to mobility:

Feet: stable
Ankle: mobile
Knee: stable
Hip: mobile
Lumbar: stable
T-Spine: mobile

...along the arms you can witness the same pattern of alternating purpose

When you force a joint complex away from it's design, it becomes damaged.
August 16, 2011 at 7:53 AM
williebr said…
What Dr. John said. Good way to make back pain worse.

If you look in McGill's work or Porterfield and DeRossa's work they're pretty clear that this is a terrible idea.
August 18, 2011 at 11:38 AM
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