WHERE IS IT? It lies in the middle of the body, and sits just below the cervical (vertebrae in the top of the neck). These vertebrae are attached to the rib cage.

WHAT DOES IT D0? It has 12 vertebrae, and its main function is to rotate the middle of the body if you turn your body to look around. In a sporting context it is mainly involved in racquet sports, as a lot of rotation is involved when striking a ball. It also assists in breathing, as your rib cage is attached to the thoracic vertebrae in the middle of your back.

HOW IS IT INJURED? As it has limited movement, it can stiffen up and start to restrict the efficiency of your breathing. It is mainly injured by any repetitive rotational action of the torso, which usually involves the use of the arms eg. swimming, squash, tennis. It is not very often injured when bending forwards, unlike the bottom of the spine.

RE-HAB

Usually the surrounding muscles go into spasm, caused by referred nerve pain

Massage and heat to reduce the spasm

Ultrasound to reduce the inflammation around the vertebrae

After a few days start to do exercises that involve rotation eg. put both arms out in front of you and swing them from side to side, or lay on your back with a pillow in the middle of the back, this will open up the vertebrae to alleviate any pressure

After the pain has localised back to the actual vertebrae that is causing the problem start to do some mobilising techniques called Pas, which will help stop the vertebrae from stiffening up.

Keep your exercise programme going daily, even after the problem seems to have subsided, or it likely to re-occur at a later date