When the upper back is in flexion, pulling forward on the skeletal components of the upper torso, the opposing muscles of extension, rotation, and lateral movement tighten in reaction. This leads to restriction of motion in the upper back and shoulders. In addition, the body is somewhat top-heavy to begin with, and now gravity gets even more traction: The shoulders continue to round forward and the head droops all the more. What’s next? More thoracic flexion, more tightness, more of everything—except function.
Thereafter upper-back pain tends to disguise itself. The tightness gives way to burning in the area between the shoulder blades, the neck gets stiff, and turning the head from side to side or up and down becomes difficult or painful. Another common symptom is numbness in the shoulders, arms, and hands while sleeping or resting in a chair. What’s happening is that the joints of the upper torso are being pulled out of alignment, constricting the circulation and creating extra friction.
Upper-back dysfunctions tend to get diagnosed as rotator cuff, shoulder, and neck problems. Those conditions, however, are only symptoms, and treating them would make the roads only temporarily safe. Once we see rounded shoulders and hear about tightness in the middle of the back, we usually don’t need to look any further for the cause.
So how do you alleviate your upper-back pain? Upper-back tightness is telling us that the shoulders are hanging in midair without structural support from the load-bearing joints or interaction with the musculature of the pelvic girdle. Restore proper function in your pelvis, and experience relief immediately.
A key component in walking is Quad strength. In this E-cise we are increasing the strength of this muscle group.
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