Gardening Gone Wrong: How I Overcame Middle Back Pain and Found Relief! 

Imagine this: it was a glorious Sunday, and I was fully immersed in the therapeutic rhythm of gardening. As I contorted myself into awkward positions to reach that stubborn overgrown hedge, I didn't realise I was setting myself up for an unexpected battle. Fast forward to morning, and there I was, struggling to even lift my arms overhead or take a deep breath without wincing. The culprit? A strained middle back. Who knew something as innocent as gardening could lead to such discomfort?

Middle back pain isn't just a nuisance; it's a real game-changer. It can turn simple tasks into Herculean feats, leaving you feeling as flexible as a steel rod. And it's not just gardening mishaps that can trigger it. Hours spent hunched over a laptop or glued to a desk can wreak havoc on your upper body, leaving you feeling like you've aged a century overnight.

But let's take a step back and delve into the anatomy of the spine, shall we? Picture it: your spine, that magnificent structure supporting your entire being, divided into three major parts – the cervical (neck), lumbar (low back), and the often-overlooked thoracic spine, nestled comfortably in the middle.

Ah, the thoracic spine, the unsung hero of our bodily movements. Made up of twelve vertebrae and playing a crucial role in supporting our rib cage, this area is more than just a bridge between the neck and lower back. It's a hub of mobility, allowing us to twist, bend, and move with grace (or at least, it's supposed to).

As we age, or if we neglect those core muscles, our thoracic spine can become as rigid as a board, sabotaging our every move. Runners and cyclists, in particular, know this struggle all too well, their bodies tightening up like a coiled spring, ready to snap at any moment.

But wait, there's more. The thoracic spine isn't just a victim of physical strain; it's also susceptible to the whims of our respiratory system. Asthma, chronic coughs, even the common cold – they all have the power to turn this area into a fortress of tension, making every breath a battle.

So, what did I do? I made an urgent call to Ann - our Vital Core receptionist and she worked her magic and found me an appointment with Physio Lindel that day. Lindel then did her awesome assessment and found I wasn't breathing very well and was holding all the tension around the muscles of my thoracic spine. She then perfomed a series of simple treatment techniques and showed me a couple of exercises that had me breathing easier in no time.

So, if you suspect your thoracic spine might be the culprit behind your woes, don't suffer in silence. Reach out to our team at Vital Core your middle back will thank you for it.