01/04/2026
Evaluating Spinal Mobility with Functional Range Conditioning
Your spine is designed to move in multiple directions, with its primary movements being flexion and extension.
In Functional Range Conditioning (FRC), we assess not just how much your spine can move, but how well each segment contributes to that movement.
A healthy spine shows even, controlled motion across all vertebrae. Rather than certain areas doing all the work, each segment should contribute. When this happens, movement appears smooth and coordinated.
If some segments are not moving well, the body compensates by creating hinge points—areas that move excessively while others remain stiff. Over time, this can place added stress on the spine.
How We Assess Your Spine
1. Thoracic Controlled Articular Rotations (CARs)
These help assess your ability to move your spine through its full range with control. Taking photos at flexion, extension, and lateral flexion can highlight asymmetries or restrictions.
2. Spinal Segmentation
This is one of the most important assessments. As you move into flexion and extension, we want to see a wave-like motion travelling from the lumbar spine up through the thoracic spine and into the neck.
If that wave is disrupted or skips areas, it may indicate stiffness or poor control in certain segments.
Why It Matters
When parts of the spine are not contributing, other areas compensate. Over time, this can lead to increased strain and reduced movement efficiency.
By identifying these areas, we can target them with specific mobility work to improve overall spinal function and control.
In this video, Dr Luke Pocock guides you through a detailed Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) assessment of the thoracic and lumbar spine. You’ll learn how...