12 migliori esercizi per il mal di schiena superiore + cause e prevenzione

Ti sei piegato per raccogliere qualcosa e hai sentito un forte dolore alla parte superiore della schiena? Anche fare cose semplici, come alzare una tazza, peggiora il dolore? Mentre il dolore alla parte superiore della schiena non è comune come il dolore alla parte inferiore della schiena, non è meno doloroso. La buona notizia è che ci sono una serie di allungamenti che possono aiutare ad alleviare il dolore alla parte superiore della schiena. Continua a leggere per saperne di più su questi tratti.

I migliori allungamenti per sbarazzarsi del dolore alla parte superiore della schiena

1. Stretching del pettorale (allungamento del muro in piedi)

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Questo può aiutare a rilassare i muscoli tesi delle spalle e della schiena.

Cosa devi fare

1. Stare a un braccio di distanza da un muro.
2. Premi i palmi delle mani contro il muro all'altezza delle spalle.
3. Appoggiati al muro con la parte superiore del corpo, ma senza muovere i palmi.
4. Mantieni questa posizione per 5-10 secondi.

Ripetizioni

10-12

Imposta

3

Torna al sommario

2. Estensione toracica

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Gli esercizi di estensione toracica aiutano ad allungare i muscoli della schiena (1). Quindi, possono aiutare a ridurre il dolore alla parte superiore della schiena.

Cosa devi fare

1. Inginocchiarsi davanti a una panchina.
2. Posiziona i gomiti sulla panca in modo che siano alla larghezza delle spalle.
3. Inginocchiarsi abbastanza lontano dalla panca in modo da avere ampio spazio per far cadere il petto tra le braccia ed estendere la colonna vertebrale.
4. Con le ginocchia ben piantate a terra, premi il petto verso il suolo con i gomiti che sostengono il peso.
5. Allunga il più possibile la colonna vertebrale.
6. Mantieni la posizione per 5-10 secondi.
7. Torna alla posizione iniziale.

Ripetizioni

10-12

Imposta

3

Torna al sommario

3. Braccio scorrevole sulla parete (rotazione della spalla)

Youtube

Questo allungamento funziona alla grande per i bicipiti, le spalle e la parte superiore della schiena. Può aiutare ad alleviare il dolore causato da tensioni muscolari.

Cosa devi fare

1. Stai in piedi contro un muro con i glutei, le spalle e la testa che lo toccano.
2. Metti le mani lungo i fianchi, toccando il muro a 90 gradi.
3. Disegna i muscoli addominali verso la colonna vertebrale.
4. Solleva le braccia sopra la testa mentre le scapole e le braccia sono piantate contro il muro.
5. Non alzare le spalle, non chinarti e non lasciare che la parte bassa della schiena si inarchi.
6. Mantieni questa posizione per circa 5 secondi e poi torna alla posizione iniziale.

Perché funziona

Questo allungamento funziona alla grande per i bicipiti, le spalle e la parte superiore della schiena. Può aiutare ad alleviare il dolore causato da tensioni muscolari.

Ripetizioni

12-15

Imposta

3

Torna al sommario

4. Scapolare Squeeze

Youtube

Scapular squeeze aims at stretching the scapulae that include muscles as well as bones. This stretch increases the strength and flexibility of the scapulae.

What You Have To Do

1. Stand tall with your back straight.
2. Pull your shoulder blades towards your back but slightly lower such that your elbows are pulled back and inward.
3. Hold the position for about 5 seconds.
4. Return to the initial position.
5. If you go to a gym, you may try out the seated cable rows and barbell rows as they serve the same purpose.

Repetitions

10-12

Sets

3

Back To TOC

5. Mid-Trap Exercise – Prone Shoulder Horizontal Abduction

It is believed that mid-trap exercises often concentrate on the middle trapezius muscles. They may help in increasing the flexibility and strength of these muscles. However, there is no scientific research to back this claim.

What You Have To Do

1. Lie flat on your front on an elevated surface, such as a single bed.
2. Allow your arms to rest on either side in a ‘T’.
3. Squeeze your shoulder blades as you lift one of your arms to its maximum.
4. Lower your arms and repeat.

Repetitions

10-12

Sets

3

Back To TOC

6. Thoracic Stretch – Rolling Spine

Youtube

Thoracic stretches, like the rolling spine, may help in stretching the thoracic area. This may help in relieving tight and painful muscles.

What You Have To Do

1. Lie down on a mat with your knees at right angles to the floor, and your palms flat on the mat.
2. Raise your head and slowly pull your knees toward your abdomen.
3. Rock back and forth slowly, such that you are rolling your spine, one vertebra at a time.
4. Go back to the initial position and repeat.

Back To TOC

7. Quadruped Arm And Leg Raise

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The quadruped arm and leg raise helps strengthen the core and gives proper alignment to the spine (2).

What You Have To Do

1. Sit on your hands and knees on a yoga or exercise mat. Your arms should be just below your shoulders, and your knees right below your hips.
2. Extend one leg and the arm opposite to it such that it is aligned with your body.
3. Return to the initial position and complete the repetitions.
4. Repeat for the other leg and arm.

Repetitions

10-12

Sets

3

Back To TOC

8. Rowing Exercise

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Rowing is great for your arms, legs, core, and back. It may help in strengthening the muscles and promote flexibility.

What You Have To Do

1. Sit erect with your legs and arms straight out.
2. Pull your elbows back downwards.
3. Move your body back and forth so that you are leaning slightly back when you pull your arms towards the chest.
4. You can also fully bend your knees to the “catch” position as you complete a full stroke.
5. Move back to the initial position and repeat.
6. You can also carry out this workout at a gym.

Repetitions

10

Sets

3

Back To TOC

9. Cobra Pose

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Cobra pose is believed to be effective in reducing pain. This may help in strengthening the entire back and shoulders.

What You Have To Do

1. Lie flat on your stomach on a yoga mat.
2. Plant your toes on the floor, with your forehead resting on the ground.
3. Keep your feet together, with your heels slightly touching each other.
4. Place your hands under your shoulders, and keep your elbows close to your torso.
5. Take a deep breath and slowly lift your chest, head, and abdomen while your navel is still touching the ground.
6. Pull your torso back with your weight on your hands.
7. Arch your back as far as possible and then tilt your head and look up.

Repetitions

10-12

Duration

15-30 seconds

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10. Downward Dog Pose

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It may help in strengthening your bones and muscles and alleviates back pain.

What You Have To Do

1. Get on your fours on the floor. Your knees should be right below your hips, and your arms a little in front of your shoulders.
2. Spread your palms and toes on the ground.
3. Take a deep breath and exhale as you lift your knees away from the floor.
4. Initially, keep your knees half bent and lift the heels away from the floor.
5. Lengthen your tailbone away from your pelvis and towards your pubis.
6. Push your thighs back and forth along with your heels.
7. Straighten your knees slightly, but don’t lock them.
8. Firm the thighs, arms, and the shoulder blades.

Duration

1-3 minutes

Back To TOC

11. Posture Correction

This stretch may help in correcting your posture, which is one of the many triggers of upper back pain (3).

What You Have To Do

1. Kneel on your right knee and place your left foot on the floor.
2. Place both your hands on the left thigh and bend your hip forward until you feel a stretch in your hip flexors.
3. Contract your abdominal muscles and tilt your pelvis back slightly.
4. Keep your chin parallel to the ground.
5. Hold this pose for 20-30 seconds and repeat with the other leg.

Repetitions

10

Sets

3

Back To TOC

12. Thread The Needle

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This pose may help relieve stiffness and pain in the upper back.

What You Have To Do

1. Place your elbows right under your shoulders, and your knees under your hips. Keep your head in a neutral position in the center.
2. As you exhale, slide your right arm underneath the left arm as your palm faces upwards.

   Your right shoulder should touch the mat.

3. As you rest your right ear and cheek against the mat, gaze towards your left.

   Your left elbow should be lifted, and your hips raised. Don’t press your entire weight on your head.

4. Adjust your position such that you don’t strain your neck or shoulder.
5. Allow your upper back to broaden and your lower back to relax.
6. Hold this position for a minute and then release the pose.
7. Repeat on the other side.

Duration

1-2 minutes

In addition to these stretches, here are a few tips that may help in dealing with upper back pain and prevent its recurrence.

Prevention Tips

• Practice good posture, be it at work or at home.
• Exercise regularly.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Manage your stress levels.

Listed below are the causes of upper back pain.

What Causes Upper Back Pain?

A variety of factors may trigger back pain, like:

• Strain or injury to the back muscles due to overuse
• Poor posture
• A pinched nerve in the spine or close to the ribs
• Fractured backbone
• Damaged or displaced spinal disc (Herniated disc)
• Osteoarthritis, which causes the cartilage protecting the bones to wear down
• A chronic pain disorder called myofascial pain syndrome caused by the repetitive contraction of the muscles.
• Issues with the gallbladder, such as gallstones
• Pain between the shoulder blades

The sensation of pain in the upper back may vary from one person to another. Here are some common symptoms associated with upper back pain.

Signs And Symptoms

The pain that occurs is often described in the following terms:

• Stiffness
• Aching
• Sharp
• Burning
• Crampy

Upper back pain may result from mild to severe factors. It may be the result of something as minute as the overuse of the back muscles to something as serious as cancer (3).

Let us now look at the factors that put an individual at a higher risk of developing upper back pain.

Risk Factors

The risk factors for upper back pain include:

• Advancing age
• Weak muscles
• Obesity
• Underlying medical conditions, like sciatica, arthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, or even cancer.
• Smoking

A combination of the tips and stretches mentioned above may alleviate your upper back pain to a certain extent. However, consult a doctor to find out the cause of the pain if it persists.

Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions

How should I sleep with upper back pain?

Alcune posizioni per dormire possono aiutare a migliorare il mal di schiena. Prova a dormire con un cuscino tra o sotto le gambe per sostenerti. Chi dorme su un fianco può tenere il cuscino tra le ginocchia e tirarlo verso il petto. Puoi anche usare cuscini terapeutici che possono mantenere il collo nella posizione corretta.

I massaggi aiutano il mal di schiena?

Sì, alcuni massaggi terapeutici possono alleviare i sintomi del mal di schiena e anche migliorare la tua mobilità.

3 fonti

Stylecraze ha rigide linee guida di approvvigionamento e si basa su studi peer-reviewed, istituti di ricerca accademica e associazioni mediche. Evitiamo di utilizzare riferimenti terziari. Puoi saperne di più su come garantiamo che i nostri contenuti siano accurati e aggiornati leggendo la nostra politica editoriale.

• Yoo, Won-gyu. “Effect of thoracic stretching, thoracic extension exercise and exercises for cervical and scapular posture on thoracic kyphosis angle and upper thoracic pain.” Journal of physical therapy science 25.11 (2013): 1509-1510.

  pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24396221/

• Hajihosseini, Elham, et al. “The effects of strengthening, stretching and comprehensive exercises on forward shoulder posture correction.” Physical Treatments-Specific Physical Therapy Journal 4.3 (2014): 123-132.

  www.researchgate.net/publication/281200197_The_Effects_of_Strengthening_Stretching_and_Comprehensive_Exercises_on_Forward_Shoulder_Posture_Correction

• Deyo, Richard A., and Andrew K. Diehl. “Cancer as a cause of back pain.” Journal of general internal medicine 3.3 (1988): 230-238.

  link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02596337