Forward Flexion

The forward flexion test can say a lot about how the body moves. Just as the spine has its optimal postural curve, we also have expectations of how much curvature we should see when in flexion and/or extension.

When the spine moves into flexion, we should see flexion at every joint in the spine. Based upon location–lumbar, thoracic, or cervical–there may be more or less movement, but there should be movement at every joint. There should not be flat spots or areas with excessive movement. When all joints move as they are meant to, we have full ROM and consistent curvature from the top of the spine to the bottom.

Restrictions in spinal movement are common. It is not unusual to see a relatively flat lumbar spine and excessive thoracic in those who sit too much and/or perform too many traditional abdominal floor exercises or variations of the “crunch.”

We also may find joint-specific restrictions, maybe only one or two joints affected. While this may not seem significant, if there is restriction in one joint, the body compensates by trying to gain that lost ROM directly above and/or below the restriction. You may have a hypo-mobile joint next to a hyper-mobile joint which can be irritating to the neuromuscular system. This is common in those who have undergone a spinal fusion and the outcome is often accelerated degenerative disk disorders in the disk(s) next to the fused area. The movement has to come from somewhere, and fusion greatly alters movement mechanics.