How the thoracic spine influences the shoulder joint
As like food, sometimes the most simplest things in life are the most delicious 😋 My focus this morning was all about moving the spine, whilst aiming at improving shoulder joint ROM. Utilizing the bosu and my tower, which can also be done over a #swissball kneeling. Movements of the thoracic spine are required for optimal shoulder functioning. Single arm full range abduction requires thoracic lateral flexion, and if both arms are raised into abduction or flexion it requires some thoracic extension mobility. If the thoracic spine is held in kyphosis, the scapulae must also move in a relatively anterior-tilted, downward-rotated and protracted position – a position linked with glenohumeral joint impingement flexion, rotation and extension. Tight lats also is a common issue, either from training load, lack of flexibility, or simply from posture positions. As I extend my arm above my head I lengthen my lats. The lats attach from the humerus (upper arm bone), down to the thoracolumbar fascia, which inserts directly into the pelvis, part of our oblique fascia sling.
The lats function to extend and internally rotate the arm as well as to extend the lumbar. When restricted, the lats have the potential to limit shoulder flexion (bringing the arms overhead), external rotation (rotating the thumb back) and lumbar flexion.
So let’s get moving to increase movement patterns.