Adjacent segment stress is the added movement demand placed on the spinal segments directly above and below a fusion, since the fused level itself can no longer move, that movement has to happen somewhere.
Thoracic mobility for rotational athletes is the mid-back's capacity to rotate independently of the hips and lower back, providing the range needed for a full, powerful swing, serve, or throw.
Thoracic mobility exercises for seniors are age-adapted movements that restore extension, rotation, and flexion in the mid-back, modified with seated, wall, or chair support to reduce fall risk and bone-loading concerns common after 65.
Thoracic mobility is your mid-back's active range of motion through extension, rotation, and flexion, while thoracic flexibility is simply how far the surrounding muscles can passively lengthen under a stretch.
Thoracic mobility tools are simple, low-cost props, foam rollers, peanut-shaped massage tools, and mobility sticks, used to apply pressure or leverage to the mid-back so it can move through extension, rotation, and flexion more freely.
