Physical Therapy Exercise

Thoracic injury takes place when there is injury caused to the chest wall, lungs, or pleura. Chest injuries actually account for 25% of trauma deaths, which is an alarming statistic. Chest injuries may be either penetrating or blunt injuries, and the mechanism of the injury is what primarily determines the workup and intervention that is going to be required.

Once a thoracic injury is treated, the attending physician will almost always recommend that the patient participate in a stretching physical therapy exercise until they are healed. This is important because this stretching physical therapy exercise is what will help to keep the area loose and prevent it from getting swollen and sorer.

Although there are a few, one of the best options when it comes to a stretching physical therapy exercise is the basic stretch, which is used to encourage flexion in the lower lumbar spine.

To perform this exercise you start by clasping your hands in front of your knees, and then you interlace your fingers together. You should have your head resting back on something comfortable such as a pillow, in order to prevent strain and soreness in the neck and shoulders.

Now you want to keep your knees together, take your arms and use them to pull your knees up towards your chest, stopping them as soon as you feel a tightening in your lower lumbar region. Remember not to push past the point of this tightening, because then you risk straining or pulling a muscle.

Now you can gently use your arms to move your knees backwards and forwards, slowly and always in a controlled motion. Gradually you will begin to notice that your knees are able to move closer to your chest as your back muscles begin to increase in length. Try to remember to breathe out rather than in as you pull your knees up, because you will be able to get more out of the exercise this way and will not feel tired out so easily.

If you are able to get your knees all the way up to your chest without any type of pulling sensation in the lower lumbar spine then you really have no significant muscle spasm in the lower lumbar area. There are many other options as well when it comes to stretching physical therapy exercise that you can perform as well, but this is by far one of the most efficient and effective.