“The thoracic spine (the part of the spine that starts just below the neck to half-way down the back) is often a neglected part of the body,” says Trish Formby at Sprint Physiotherapy in Kensington, “which is surprising considering that it is as prone to stiffness as other parts of the spine, but not so surprising since it is a difficult area of the body to stretch.

A stiff thoracic spine can cause pain between the shoulder blades but can also cause excess loading of the lumbar spine, the neck and shoulders, which in turn can lead to pain in these areas as well as headaches. In really extreme cases, a stiff thoracic spine can lead to an unsightly condition known as Dowager’s (or Bison’s) Hump, which is a thickening of the soft tissues at the base of the neck.

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 the attendant problems this can cause). People with poor posture are also at risk. On a more general level, since the thoracic spine provides much of the rotation and extension of the spine required for athletes, anyone that plays sport is likely to find their movement restricted and performance limited by stiffness in this part of the spine. 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.

NB: Exercises should be completed either after prolonged activity (i.e. a long drive or sitting at work) or pre and post sport.