The Upper Back and Mid Back is an important intersection in the torso. It is a mobility point (or at least it SHOULD be) where the shoulder blade can fix to to stabilize the shoulder so that movement can occur at the glenohumeral joint. It is also a fixation point for the neck and head muscles, allowing them to function properly. In fact, Cervical (neck) extension SHOULD initiate at the T5 vertebra, which is between your shoulder blades! Hard to imagine, but yes, this is where it should start, not at the base of your neck! Getting movement back to this region will also keep your body from developing a Dowager’s Hump (that hump some people grow in their upper back as they age…Think Gru in Descpicable Me)
General stiffness in the upper back is very common. Here are some stretches that can help you avoid Gru-ing yourself as you work tirelessly at your computer or work station. Do them daily, and use lots of heat, and remember your brain HATES change, so it will take time to loosen these muscles. Stick with it, make it part of your day, and it will help. You should follow these up with corrective exercises below to re-establish how this area functions.
