Part 12: Upper back
21 Yoga Practices For Body Flexibility
Upper back is the region found below the cervical spine (neck) and above the low back (lumbar spine). The upper back is called the thoracic spine and it is the most stable part of the spine as it is attached to the rib cage. Hence, possibility of any injury to individual disc is almost nil. However, muscle strain, poor seating postures and improper heavy weight lifting could result in upper back pain. Stress can also contribute to the upper back pain as this area covers just below the neck and nape region which is very prone to stress accumulation.
Mild stretching exercises and application of pain relieving ointments can help in alleviating the pain.
Here is the demonstration of a couple of simple yoga therapy practices to manage and handle the upper back pain.
Carrying small children in shoulders by the elders is a common sight.
One of the folk dances of Tamil Nadu is Kaavadi attam (burden dance). This is done as an offering to the Hindu deity lord Muruga by the devotees as “prarthana” for their wish being fulfilled. The Kaavadi is in a semi circular shape of wood, connected by a wooden rod at the bottom. It will be decorated by beautiful flowers and feathers of peocock. This Kaavadi will be held by the devotees on their shoulders and they will walk to the temple from the starting place and offer it to the Lord at the temple.
If it is performed as a dance form, dancers will play in pairs and also in groups forming rhythmic patterns and steps.
This practice was developed in accordance with Yoga Therapy, a branch of yoga that requires the ailing person to perform a set of asanas to cure prevailing health issues. Read more about Yoga Therapy here.
Read the previous title in this article series. Part 11: Head
Read the next title in this article series. Part 13: Mid back
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