What’s the Thorax? And why is it more important than you think?

Your thorax consists of the vertebrae in the middle of your back and the ribs attached to them, along with all the accompanying ligaments, muscles, joints, and internal organs. It is traditionally considered a ‘stable’ structure with little room for movement, and rarely considered as a source of pain.

Recent studies have shown however, that thoracic pain is common, with up to 55% of working adults experiencing thoracic pain in any year. Importantly, it is also a predictor of lower back pain.

Your thorax is an important structure, the bones and ligaments protecting vital internal organs underneath. But it’s also where we get most of the rotation of our trunk. So if you like running, golf, swimming, walking, tennis, football, or almost any physical activity, you need good function in your thorax.

The nerves from our thorax supply the abdominal muscles; these muscles protect our lower back and abdominal organs. If our thorax is not moving well, it’s possible that this may affect the muscles supporting our lower back.

Dysfunction of the thorax can also lead to feelings of shortness of breath, nausea, and many other sensations. While these symptoms should always be assessed by a medical professional, if thorough testing is negative the effect of the biomechanics of your ribs may be an important next step.

The great news is the Thoracic Ring Approach provides a method of assessing and managing thoracic pain, uniquely and holistically considering all the structures of the thorax and their interplay.

Clifton Hill Physiotherapy team member Caitlin Farmer is an industry recognised musculoskeletal physiotherapist who is skilled in the Thoracic Ring Approach series in Australia.

If you’re experiencing thoracic pain please Clifton Hill Physiotherapy on 94861918 for an assessment.