Picture a long, flexible rod that runs down the center of your back – that’s your spine. Now, zoom in on the middle part of that rod…
that’s your thoracic spine. Or t-spine for short.
The t-spine is made up of twelve thoracic vertebrae that runs between your neck and your lower back.
As you move down towards your lower back, these vertebrae gradually get larger, with the lower ones being noticeably bigger than the upper ones.
One of the things that makes these vertebrae special is the way they connect with your ribs. They have these small facets on the sides that allow them to articulate, or move, with the heads of your ribs.
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But that’s not all, most of these vertebrae also have facets on their transverse processes, which are little bony protrusions on the sides. These facets let them articulate with the tubercles of your ribs.
When we talk about the thoracic vertebrae, we usually number them from T1 to T12. The first one is closest to your skull, and the others are arranged in a neat little sequence all the way down to your lumbar region.
This are often loses mobility from looking at screens all day and getting older. But a good workout plan can help get your t-spine mobile. Especially important if you play golf, tennis, or other activity that requires a lot of rotation.
Often people wit poor t-spine mobility develop issues with their wrists and elbows.
It’s fascinating how all these small parts work together to create the complex structure of your spine.
Exercises to Improve Thoracic Spine Mobility