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Open Book Stretch (Thoracic Rotation)

Draftmobility80%beginner⬤ moderate evidence
View FHIR resourceFHIR R4 ActivityDefinition — the interoperable form of this exercise

Positions & Range of Motion

Start
sidelying with hips and knees stacked at 90°, both arms extended together in front at shoulder height, knees pressed together
End
top arm and thorax rotated open toward the ceiling and floor behind, gaze following the moving hand, pelvis and knees stationary
Range of Motion
thoracic rotation to comfortable end range (~30–40° cumulative) while pelvis is stabilized

How to Perform

Sidelying with hips and knees at 90°, rotating top arm and thorax open toward ceiling. Thoracic rotation ROM averages 10-12° per segment (T1-T10) and 7-8° in lower thoracic. Emphasizes thoracic rotation while stabilizing pelvis.

Watch on YouTube↗

Opens a YouTube search for “Open Book Stretch (Thoracic Rotation)”

Starting position: sidelying

Coaching Cues

  1. 1

    Quiet hips, low breath — rotation lives in the mid-back

    (verbal)
  2. 2

    Reach the top hand toward the floor behind you

    (verbal)
  3. 3

    Eyes follow the moving hand across the room

    (verbal)
  4. 4

    Knees glued together — they anchor the pelvis

    (tactile)

Evidence-Based Dosing & EMG Data

Recommended Dosing

2-4 reps of 30-60 seconds per side, 5-7 days/week [Thomas 2018]

Muscles Involved (3)

Primary Movers

Internal Oblique— Ipsilateral rotation
External Oblique— Contralateral rotation being stretched

Stabilizers

Erector Spinae Group— Trunk stabilization during rotation

Easier Variations ↓

1

Supine Trunk Rotation

Lie on back, knees bent, drop both knees side to side. Gravity-assisted.

Harder Variations ↑

1

Open Book with Reach-Through

Thread the top arm under your body before opening. Adds flexion-rotation.

Target Movements (1)

Thoracic RotationThoracic Intervertebral Joints

Why This Exercise Matters

Everyday activities this exercise helps you do — essential means it directly trains the capacity the task needs:

Posture MaintenanceGetting In and Out of Bed

Goals This Helps With

Rehab, performance, prevention, and mobility goals this exercise supports — essential means it's a cornerstone:

Improve Thoracic (Mid-Back) Mobilitymobility

Research Notes

AUDIT[medium]: External oblique is assigned role 'primary' (mover), but its own note says 'contralateral rotation being stretched.' A muscle being lengthened/stretched is an antagonist, not a primary mover. → Recategorize external oblique as a lengthened/antagonist entry (or 'stretched'), leaving internal oblique as the ipsilateral rotator agonist.

Evidence Sources (2)