Trunk Rotation Over a Swiss Ball
- The patient begins this exercise by lying on their back with both legs supported over a swiss ball and with the arms abducted to 90 degrees and both palms facing the ceiling. The ball should be right up against the thighs. If the front of the ball were a clock the left leg is positioned at 10 o’clock and the right leg at 2 o’clock to begin this exercise.
- Instruct the patient to take a deep breath as they slowly lower their legs to the left side, only lowering as far as they can while keeping the right shoulder blade on the ground. Ideally the outside of the left leg should touch the floor.
- To complete the entire pattern ask the patient to look to the right as they externally rotate the right arm and internally rotate the left arm so that the left palm is now facing the ground.
- Instruct the patient to exhale and use their abdominals to bring the legs back to the midline.
- Have them repeat the rotation to the right side ideally touching the outside of the right leg to the floor.
- The patient is instructed to work slowly back and forth 3 to 5 times initially, coordinating the arm rotations with the lower trunk rotation.
- The patient increases the number of repetitions as their strength and control improves.
