A new study has found that improving thoracic mobility can help cope with the symptoms of shoulder impingement.
In many cases, individuals who develop poor thoracic mobility, which is usually a result of sitting in a hunched over position for many hours per day, are forced to compensate using poor mechanics of the shoulder joint. As a result, sometimes the best way to help people treat shoulder problems is by focusing on the thoracic.
Conclusions
This study lends credence to the “Joint-By-Joint Approach” of training, which suggests that issues at one joint are often the result of dysfunction at a nearby joint. Those who wish to prevent shoulder injuries should invest time towards maintaining an acceptable degree of thoracic extension and thoracic rotation range of motion.
References
1 Haik MN, et al. Scapular kinematics pre and post thoracic thrust manipulation in individuals with and without shoulder impingement symptoms: a randomized controlled study.