The Cat Cow Exercise Is A Great Gentle Spine Mobility Exercise – An Osteopaths Perspective

In the image below you will see one of Principle Four Osteopathy clients demonstrating the two end points of the cat cow exercise.  The cat cow exercise involves the individual starting in a 4 point stance (hands under shoulders and knees under hips with a neutral spine).  The individual then looks to posteriorly tilt the pelvis to introduce a flexion movement through the spine.  They will then move their pelvis into anterior rotation to introduce an extension movement through ones spine.  I will often prescribe this exercise  for those individuals who may require some gentle mobility through their spine where there is minimal spinal compression is placed on ones back.  The individual is asked to perform the movements in a slow and controlled manner and self select the range of motion that is comfortable for them.    For those individual with acute back pain, please consult your practitioner before trying out this exercise.

This blog post was written by Melbourne osteopath Heath Williams of Principle Four Osteopathy. Principle Four Osteopathy is one of Melbourne City CBD leading Melbourne Osteopathy clinics. At the clinic we treat a wide range of clients, ranging from the office worker, exercise enthusiast to athlete. We have 3 experienced Melbourne osteopaths working across both of the clinics. The Melbourne City CBD osteopathy clinic is located at 29 Somerset Place (basement), close to the corner of Elizabeth St and Little Bourke in the Melbourne City CBD. Our premises adjoin the Jon Weller Personal Training Studio, a fully-equipped training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials or specific training programs and rehabilitation. The Melbourne osteopathic Docklands clinic is located at 717 Bourke St (Ground Floor), beneath the Channel 9 building near the walkway from Southern Cross Train Station to Etihad Stadium. Our premises adjoin Pilates on Bourke, a fully-equipped pilates and yoga training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials, pilates or specific training programs and rehabilitation. To speak to your Melbourne Osteopath or book an appointment at Principle Four Osteopathy, please book online or call 03 9670 9290.