Like so many other modern-day problems resulting from work, people who spend hours either in the car or sitting poorly in front of computer screens are particularly prone to thoracic stiffness and overload.
The thoracic spine provides much of the rotation and extension of the spine required for everyday movement.
Whether you’re an athlete or office worker restriction in this area of the body will have a counter affect on everything else. Restrictions can show up on the thoracic spine and shoulder flexors thus causing compensation patterns in the neck, lower back and can effect breathing and gait pattern.
Injuries in other parts of the body may well follow as a result.
The benefits of stretching the thoracic spine are many and varied. For starters, anything that relieves stress tension across the shoulders has to be a good thing. Greater flexibility and suppleness should improve performance on the sports field and better posture, which in turn helps self-esteem and promotes a general feeling of well being.
A daily programme can help reduce injury and pain and prolong longevity of the body.