Which statement correctly describes lumbar extension technique?

Which statement correctly describes lumbar extension technique?

• A. Lumbar extension is active and uses the inferior hand as contact hand.
• B. Lumbar extension is active and uses the superior hand as contact hand.
• C. Lumbar extension is passive and uses the inferior hand as contact hand.
• D. Lumbar extension is passive and uses the superior hand as contact hand.

Answer: (C)

Lumbar extension is described as a passive movement where the patient initiates the stretch and the clinician guides and supports rather than actively moving the spine. The hand that makes contact with the lumbar region is the inferior hand, which feels and transmits the tissue response as the movement occurs. The superior hand generally stays in a stabilizing role, anchoring the upper portion so the motion is localized to the lumbar area rather than driven by the clinician’s own force. This setup—passive movement with the inferior hand as the contact hand—matches how palpation extension is typically performed, emphasizing patient relaxation, skilled contact, and stabilized support rather than active manipulation by the practitioner.

Lumbar extension is described as a passive movement where the patient initiates the stretch and the clinician guides and supports rather than actively moving the spine. The hand that makes contact with the lumbar region is the inferior hand, which feels and transmits the tissue response as the movement occurs. The superior hand generally stays in a stabilizing role, anchoring the upper portion so the motion is localized to the lumbar area rather than driven by the clinician’s own force. This setup—passive movement with the inferior hand as the contact hand—matches how palpation extension is typically performed, emphasizing patient relaxation, skilled contact, and stabilized support rather than active manipulation by the practitioner.