Exercise 11: Side Lying Open Book

Exercise: Side Lying Open Book

(Called “Open Book Stretch” in video preview)

Purpose	Improves thoracic rotation and helps with general spinal flexibility.
Appropriate for Pain Level	6-8
Indications	Relaxation, spinal mobility, postural restoration
Muscles Involved	Pecs, Lats, erector spinae, obliques
Common Compensations	Spine not in neutral position, pelvis not locked causing lumbar rotation

Instructions: Start by lying on your side with your arms straight in front of you with palms together. Have your bottom leg straight and your top foot stacked over the bottom knee. Open your top arm and rotate the upper body reaching toward the floor behind you. Follow your hand with eyes/hand.

Provider Tips

Proper positioning: Sidelying, bottom leg straight and top leg bent with foot at knee to lock pelvis.
Encourage proper timing of inhale/exhale

Clinical Rationale

Improves thoracic rotation: The thoracic spine is often restricted due to prolonged sitting or poor posture which is increasingly common today. This exercise enhances thoracic rotation and restores segmental mobility critical for normal spinal function/load distribution.
Reduces compensation in the lumbar spine: by isolating thoracic motions with the top leg locked on the bottom leg it prevents excess lumbar rotation and targets the thoracic spine. This encourages regional interdependence, improving thoracic motion while reducing lumbar and cervical stress.
Supports shoulder and neck function: thoracic extension and rotation are essential for optimal scapular and shoulder mechanics. This aides in treating shoulder impingements, scapular dyskinesis and neck pain related to upper thoracic stiffness.
Postural correction: counteracts forward head posture and rounded shoulders by opening the anterior chain (e.g. pectorals). It also encourages upright alignment and balanced muscular tone.
Promotes breathing and rib mobility: Facilitates deep diaphragmatic breathing and rib expansion by enhancing overall thoracic mobility.