An Objective Clinical Method to Measure Spinal Extension

Reference intervals of spinal mobility measures in normal individuals: the mobility study

“…Several studies have been performed among normal individuals with the aim of describing the normal range of spinal movements, and also of identifying factors associated with mobility 5–9 12 13. From these studies, it is known that spinal mobility decreases with age6 8 9 and also that there are some differences in spinal mobility with respect to gender 6.…”

A Systematic Review of Methods to Measure Posture

“…In a development of this technique, skin distraction was used to assess lateral flexion and a plumb-line to assess extension with good reliability. 30,31 Another widely used method is to measure the distance from the finger-tips to floor during forward bending to measure flexion (of the hips and back combined) or during side bending as a measure of side flexion. This is reliable for flexion, but less satisfactory to measure extension and rotation.…”

Giovanni Borelli and the Study of Human Movement: An Historical Review

“…This has been modified for increased accuracy by Macrae 101 . Sagittal plane movements are easiest to measure by simple means, but Moll has suggested clinical techniques for measuring the other movements of the spine 102 –105 . Photographic methods have been used by Flint, 106 Davis et al , 107 Loeel, 108 and Troup et al 93 Flint and Davis compared photographic studies with X‐ray studies to determine the differences between the two methods, since many X‐ray studies were being carried out.…”