J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2005 Feb;29(1):102-108.

The Effects of Increasing Thoracic Mobility on Lumbar Stability

• Park DS
• Hur JK
• Song JC
• Kim YS
• Kim CH
• Choi EH
• Kwon BA
• Yang YA

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects on the lumbar stability caused by various thoracic exercise programs, the extent of spinal posture correction and the increase in thoracic mobility to the extension direction. METHOD: Exercise programs, which can increase the thoracic mobility to the extension direction, were applied to the exercise group. The control subjects were trained for the correct posture according to ergonomic principles by exercise at home and at the clinic. Both groups had three sessions of exercise program per week for 8 weeks. RESULTS: A comparison of the various parameters in the exercise group before and after exercise showed that the VAS, thoracic kyphosis and lumbar mobility decreased significantly (p <0.05), and the thoracic mobility in the extension direction, chest expansion, maximal elevation of the arms and spinal length increased significantly (p <0.05). In addition, the thoracic kyphosis and lumbar mobility increased significantly (p <0.05), and thoracic mobility in the extension direction, chest expansion, maximum elevation of the arms and the spinal length decreased significantly (p <0.05), but the VAS did not show a significant difference. CONCLUSION: A thoracic exercise program, which can correct the posture, improve the functional restrictions of the thoracic spine and reduce the lumbar mobility, is very important.

Keyword

Thoracic pain; Thoracic mobility; Lower back pain; Lumbar instability; Lumbar stability

MeSH Terms

Arm
Kyphosis
Low Back Pain
Posture
Spine
Thorax