What is the wall test?

The wall test is a diagnostic tool used to highlight natural compensation behaviors and adjust body alignment. It involves pressing various points of your body against a wall to give feedback and identify areas that might be causing issues. This test examines alignment from the head through the thoracic and lumbar regions and involves activating the core without flaring the ribs and tucking the chin 1.

The primary purpose of the wall test is to assess upper body mobility, particularly in the cervical (neck) and thoracic (middle back) spine. It checks if someone can hold good posture and move their shoulders through a full range of motion without compensation. Common issues observed include forward head posture and rounded shoulders, often resulting from desk jobs or other activities that promote a hunched posture 2.