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Another month rolls past in a blur! Thank you to everyone who has been to The Haven, my physio room in Long Crendon, for treatment or just a social visit. It has been a joy to welcome you to my space and hopefully I have sent you away feeling good and moving better. Our community is growing steadily, the walk is becoming attracting new people each month and back by popular demand, I will be hosting a Retreat Day at my house again this year, read on more information.
The theme for my writing this month here, and in Lisa Kerry's Physiotherapy Hub, has been the thoracic spine. This is the largest section of the spine between the neck and the lower back. The ribs, spine and breast bone combine to form the rib cage. This is a highly engineered, clever roll cage if you like. It protects vital organs such as the lungs, heart and windpipe. To learn more about it, and how physiotherapy helps to optimise its performance, please follow this link to my blog which can be found on the learn page on my website.
One condition that affects this area of the body is scoliosis, a curvature of the spine. This month I have had two ladies in for treatment who have this condition. Neither had been formally diagnosed with it but both were aware that their clothes didn't sit quite right on their body. Often people report a bra strap falling down or bags falling off their shoulder as the presenting factor. The presence of scoliosis should not panic you, it is good to know and understand your form and movement but often the only thing you need to do is to maintain good flexibility and strength.
Desk workers are at particular risk of thoracic related problems. Most neck and shoulder problems have a contribution from the thoracic area too. The Desk Workers Ergonomic Makeover Challenge that I ran on the Facebook group last month is applicable here too, do take a look! Yoga and pilates are also really helpful for keeping this area of the body moving.
If you have any questions about this area of the body and how you can maintain good function drop me a line in the Facebook group.
Read on for details of the next Walk & Talk Physio Clinic and the Annual Summer Retreat which will held at my house on Wednesday 19th June. This year I will be joined by The Oxford Calligrapher Jane Morton Driscoll. A day of great company, food and self-care is assured. Places limited to 12 so don't delay if you'd like to join us.
