What do you do with clients that present with a very kyphotic and stuck thoracic spine? Is it still a good exercise for them even though their “best” position is one that appears to be the using of too much rectus abdominis? In other words, how do you deal with all the immovable t-spines walking around and through your doors?
I would not use the plank with this kind of client. It just reinforces their strategy. We obviously see a lot of kyphotic postures. We would seek to address their mobility and joint position before we would ask them to strengthen or stabilize. This avoid letting them use their familiar, inappropriate strategy.
We might start with them lying supine and keeping the t-spine extended and fixed with the floor. And then load the abs by asking them to control the lumbar spine and pelvis by moving the legs away from the body. This prevents them from bringing their pubis and sternum closer together but still fire their abs.
Thank you Anthony for all your contributions to the field.
I have attended many of your seminars and was thrilled to see you at the Low Back Congress in LA. We were sitting in the same row —during Paul Marshall’s presentation.
I hope to attend your seminar at IDEA next year. Please present next year. I always learn something from you. And your work has helped me help all my clients.
What do you do with clients that present with a very kyphotic and stuck thoracic spine? Is it still a good exercise for them even though their “best” position is one that appears to be the using of too much rectus abdominis? In other words, how do you deal with all the immovable t-spines walking around and through your doors?
Hi Erik,
I would not use the plank with this kind of client. It just reinforces their strategy. We obviously see a lot of kyphotic postures. We would seek to address their mobility and joint position before we would ask them to strengthen or stabilize. This avoid letting them use their familiar, inappropriate strategy.
We might start with them lying supine and keeping the t-spine extended and fixed with the floor. And then load the abs by asking them to control the lumbar spine and pelvis by moving the legs away from the body. This prevents them from bringing their pubis and sternum closer together but still fire their abs.
Thank you Anthony for all your contributions to the field.
I have attended many of your seminars and was thrilled to see you at the Low Back Congress in LA. We were sitting in the same row —during Paul Marshall’s presentation.
I hope to attend your seminar at IDEA next year. Please present next year. I always learn something from you. And your work has helped me help all my clients.
Thank you.
Thank you! But why didn’t you say “hello” at the Congress?! It was great stuff and I hope you enjoyed it.
I have applied for IDEA for next year but it’s up to them. We’ll see.
Cheers
Anthony
I like to use an exercise ball for the front plank. Having advanced clients do controlled circles clock wise and then counter clockwise.