Maintaining wellness in the upper back 

The 12 vertebrae in the thoracic segment make up the longest part of the spine, providing stability and range of motion in the upper trunk. It is the only spinal segment that attaches to the rib cage meaning that it forms a vital anchor point for the structure that surrounds and protects many internal organs. It is important to understand the structures of your upper back as they give us the clues as to what is causing pain and dysfunction. To begin with, range of motion in the thoracic segment is defined differently.

Understanding the thoracic spine

Thoracic mobility is a topic that attracts less attention than other parts of the spine. In general, it is meant to be less mobile, while providing more stability than either the cervical or lumbar segments of the spine. But while the amount of flexion and extension achieved by the thoracic segment is limited in comparison to its neighboring vertebral segments, range of motion remains an essential part of wellness in the thoracic segment. Mobility in the thoracic segment means: 

• Better shoulder mechanics
• Less neck pain
• Improved posture
• Improved function in the other segments of the spine 
• More lung capacity

By focusing on improving thoracic mobility, you will increase your body’s overall range of motion. The best way to maintain thoracic mobility is to use and move this segment. But that is made difficult by the fact that very few people have thoracic spinal awareness! 

Addressing thoracic mobility problems in Dunedin

We want to help you become more aware of your thoracic spinal segment and begin using it to your advantage to keep back pain at bay. If you are interested in finding out more, please don’t hesitate to give our office in Dunedin a call to schedule an appointment today.