Two people walking to beach with paddleboard gear.

A Move You Should Do MONDAY – The Backstroke

Monday

BySherry McLaughlin

This week’s move is the backstroke, a simple but effective way to unlock your thoracic spine, and it doesn’t require a pool.

Stand with your feet hip width apart and toes pointed straight ahead. Using your straight arms, draw a large circle to the side of your body. As your arm moves behind you, rotate the opposite shoulder to the front. Alternate right and left arm circles for 10-12 repetitions.

Do they feel the same? Is one shoulder harder to lift up than the other? Do you feel a pinch at the top of your shoulder as you do this move?

Why does this matter?

The backstroke mobilizes the thoracic spine, the largest portion of your spine responsible for rotation. Your cervical (neck) and lumbar (low back) segments are dependent on thoracic spine mobility to remain injury-free. If your thoracic spine doesn’t move well, then the portions of your spine above and below have to overwork, causing injuries such as herniated discs and shoulder impingement syndrome.

So give the backstroke a try. Your neck, low back and shoulders will thank you..

Because nobody has time to be in pain.

Until next time…