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Our spines have natural curves that go either forward or backward. Your neck (cervical) and low back (lumbar) curve forward; your upper back (thoracic) and sacrum (sacral) curve backward.
Cervical and lumbar curves are “lordodic”. Thoracic and sacral curves are “kyphotic”. Let’s talk about thoracic curve issues. An exaggerated thoracic curve is called hyperkyphosis.
I’m sure you have noticed whether you or people around you present with their shoulders rounded forward and a bit of a hump in the spine between the shoulder blades. The muscles in the back are being stretched and feel tight, maybe painful. The muscles in the chest might be contracted and tight. Additionally, the abdominal muscles can be contracted and tight.
This position can cause someone to have to constantly tilt their head up or jut their chin forward to level their head. This can cause tightness in the neck. And it can impede shoulder movement.
For your massage, we would start you on your back (face up) and work up from your legs, to the abdomen, upper chest, shoulders and front of your neck. That should help release the tension felt in the back. And, hopefully, reduce the hyperkyphosis of the thoracic spine.
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