Many people experience pain, discomfort or restriction in their upper back, but often think that there is nothing that they can do about this. This is far from the truth, as the thoracic spine often responds very well to Physiotherapy treatment.

It is also important to keep your upper back moving due to the effect that this has on lots of other areas in your body. Having a good range of movement in your upper back is essential to keeping your shoulders and neck healthy.

Learn how to keep the mobility you gain in sessions with adjustments to your sitting posture and maybe even how you sleep!

Kyphosis

Kyphosis in the term used for the natural curve found in the thoracic region of the spine. This area can become more problematic if the curve is exaggerated due to inherited factors, specific sports training or poor posture. An increase in the curve of the spine can lead to an altered position of the head and neck which often results in pain or tension. It can also have an effect on the low back as a compenstory curve is created, causing pain or discomfort.

You can also experience problems if the curve in the upper back is reduced too much. This often happens in classical dancers who may grip with the muscles between their shoulder blades, resulting in pain and tension.

Movement in the upper back can be improved with a combination of stretches, hands on releases and a structured exercise programme to strengthen the upper back and release the front of the chest.

Pilates is an excellent exercise modality for this situation. It is important to note that shoulder movement is compromised if you have an increased thoracic kyphosis and any arm exercise need to be structured accordingly until your range improves.

Scheurmanns Disease

Scheuermanns Disease is found with the adolescent and affects the thoracic spine. Symptoms include pain and altered posture of the upper back with an increase in thoracic curve which is hard to correct consciously. There is commonly an irregularity in the growth plates of the vertrebrae which gives a wedge shape the bodies of the vertebrae and hence the increase in kyphosis (curve). It affects at least 3 vertebrae and in more severe cases may even affect the organs underneath.

Treatment should include postural and core strengthening exercises, as well as hands on treatment aimed at increasing mobility in all of the small joints in the spine to allow maximum movement. Assessment and subsequent correction of asymmetries in the surrounding muscles will be very important in preventing the progression of this problem.

Although this condition tends to run its course over time, the effects of the postural deformity can be long lasting. This is why it is important to seek corrective exercise early on in the process.