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Exercises / Back & spine

3D athlete for the side-lying thoracic rotation (open book)

Side-lying thoracic rotation (open book)

  • Mobility
  • Back & spine
  • Mat, Pillow

Rotating the chest open while the knees stay together moves the thoracic spine and works the obliques and deep rotators.

Also called open book, thoracic rotation stretch.

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Where you stand

No published distribution for this exercise yet. We add one only from a peer-reviewed study.

Muscles worked

Filled: primary. Outlined: secondary.

How much

Common clinical dose: 8-10 slow repetitions each side.

Start: Side-lying, hips and knees bent

Steps

  1. Lie on the side with the hips and knees bent to 90° and the arms straight in front, palms together.
  2. Keeping the knees together, lift the top arm and rotate the chest open, following the hand with the eyes.
  3. Pause where comfortable, then return the arm to the start.

Cues

  • Knees stay stacked
  • Turn from the upper back

Common mistakes

  • Rolling the pelvis back
  • Forcing the arm to the floor

Used for

Evidence (1)
References (3)
  1. Neumann DA. Elsevier. Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System: Foundations for Rehabilitation. 3rd ed.
  2. Dalley AF, Agur AMR. Wolters Kluwer. Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 9th ed.
  3. Vilensky JA, Baltes M, Weikel L, Fortin JD, Fourie LJ. Clin Anat. 2001;14(4):237-241. Serratus posterior muscles: anatomy, clinical relevance, and function