Do you suffer from pain in your upper back?
Upper back pain is really common, especially in people who do a lot of sitting in their day. Callum, a Physiotherapist from the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, shares some exercises to help manage it.
The first exercise, upper back extension over a chair, is great if you spend a lot of time leaning forward over a desk. The muscles at the front get really, really tight and the muscles at your back get a bit long and loose. This stretch helps counteract this muscle strain.
https://youtube.com/shorts/Kew-Cv6DSzc?feature=share
The second exercise, upper back twist, is really good for opening up the joints that sit right on top of your back.
https://youtube.com/shorts/b45fXs6iRGE?feature=share
Finally, the third exercise, wall push-ups, strengthen all the muscles that sit at the top of the back and around your shoulder blade.
https://youtube.com/shorts/BipvETdV-Zs?feature=share
Pain while exercising is common, and often shows that you’re working the right area. You should aim to keep your pain below a 3 or 4 out of 10, and you can always vary the intensity of the exercise or the frequency that you do it.
Disclaimer: The information in this video is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you have lower back pain associated with a change in the function of your bowel or bladder, numbness in the groin / genitals or significant leg weakness you should seek urgent medical attention.
