Postural Stability Hold (PSH) with Head Movement
Wall-based postural stability hold emphasizing a stacked cervical position (chin gently retracted) while adding controlled head movements. Goal: maintain cranio-cervical control without rib flare or shoulder elevation.
cervical exercises Deep neck flexors (DNF), cervical proprioceptionExecution
- 1Stand with back against a wall: sacrum, mid-back, and head lightly in contact (as tolerated).
- 2Set a gentle chin retraction (no neck flexion).
- 3Maintain relaxed jaw and steady nasal breathing.
- 4Perform small head movements: rotate left/right 10–20° OR nod 'yes' in a very small range.
- 5Keep ribs down and shoulders relaxed throughout.
- 62–3 sets of 20–40 seconds (or 6–10 controlled reps per direction).
Cues
- Think: 'glide back' not 'look down'
- Small range, slow tempo
- No rib flare, no shrug
- Move the head, not the whole trunk
Common Errors
- Turning the torso instead of the head
- Rib flare with lumbar extension
- Upper trap elevation / shoulder shrug
- Neck jutting forward during rotation
Progressions
- 1Isometric hold only (no movement) -> add slow nods -> add slow rotation
- 2Increase time under tension
- 3Add light tactile cue (towel behind occiput) to maintain alignment
Related Patterns
forward head postureupper crossed syndrome
