Why does limited thoracic spine mobility lead to shoulder or lumbar sports injuries?

Doctor’s answer

The body follows the 'mobility-stability (Joint-by-Joint)' alternation principle. The thoracic spine requires sufficient extension and rotational mobility; when it is stiff and kyphotic, overhead pressing or rotational swinging motions force the scapula, which needs stability, to excessively compensate by anterior tilting, and the lumbar spine to hyperextend, leading to subacromial impingement, rotator cuff injuries, and lumbar spondylolysis. Restoring thoracic spine mobility is fundamental to kinetic chain rehabilitation.

This content is for education. Diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation require an individual assessment by a sports medicine specialist.