Gentle Lumbar Mobility
Keeps the low back moving comfortably as it heals.
What it helps
Keeps the low back moving comfortably as it heals, so it stays supple rather than stiffening up.
How to do it
- On hands and knees, slowly round then gently arch your back (cat–camel) within a comfortable range.
- Or, lying down, let bent knees rock slowly a few inches side to side.
- Move smoothly and stay pain-free.
Tips
- Small, comfortable ranges early on.
- Stop short of any sharp pain.
Commonly done as 10 repetitions, 1–2 times a day.
Where this appears in recovery
Gentle Lumbar Mobility is part of 9 recovery programs, typically at the early recovery (weeks 2–6), strength & function (weeks 6–12) and foundation (weeks 0–4) stages. Each program shows how it fits alongside the other movements:
- Lumbar Microdiscectomy exercise guide
- Lumbar Laminectomy exercise guide
- Lumbar Disc Replacement exercise guide
- Lumbar Disc Replacement exercise guide
- Lumbar Disc Disease exercise guide
- Lumbar Spinal Stenosis exercise guide
- Low Back Pain exercise guide
- Sciatica (Lumbar Radiculopathy) exercise guide
- Spondylolisthesis exercise guide
All exercise guides · Condition guides · Recovery education
These are general exercise guides, not a personal prescription. The repetitions and frequency shown are what's commonly used — your own surgeon or therapist may advise something different, and their guidance comes first.