Our mid-thoracic spine (mid-back) is a very mobile joint. It allows us to rotate our shoulders, twisting left and right. The ½ Knee Wall Upper Spine Mobility exercise is great for helping us maintain the motion in this area of the spine.
To perform the exercise, place a pad next to a wall to protect your knee on the ground. Kneel down on the pad in a ½ kneel position parallel to the wall. One knee should be up at 90 degrees and the other knee down at 90 degrees on the pad. The raised knee should be the one away from the wall.
Take a yoga block, turn it lengthwise, and place it against the wall and your hip. You should be close enough to the wall to trap the block between your hip and the wall. This forces your hips to be still during the exercise.
Place the palm of your hand (arm nearest the wall) against the wall parallel to the ground. The thumb should be pointing down. Image the numbers on a clock 9-10-11-12-1-2-3. To begin the motion, take a breath and then exhale as you rotate your head to look over the shoulder nearest the wall. Move your palm and arm around the numbers on the clock. Your palm should not lose contact with the wall and your arm should remain straight. Only go as far as your range of motion will allow. Do not force the motion. Return back to the starting position and repeat 10-12 times then switch to the opposite
side.
This exercise is especially good for those of you who play golf, racquetball, pickleball, and other rotation type sports and activities.
If you have questions on how to perform this exercise properly please speak to one of our personal training staff.
Mike Locke
Fitness Director
