8 stretches for the middle back

Postures that involve a lot of sitting with hunched shoulders can cause the mid back muscles to tighten, limiting the spine’s ability to twist. A person should focus on sitting upright, with the back straight and the head in a neutral position.

The seated twist stretch can help stretch out back muscles and gradually increases the range of movement in both directions.

To perform the seated twist:

1. Sit tall with legs crossed or straight out in front while pulling the shoulder blades together and down.
2. Place the right hand on the outside of the left knee and place the left hand behind the back to provide support. Slowly twist to the left side.
3. Hold for 20-30 seconds and then return to center.
4. Repeat on the other side.

Child’s Pose is a simple yoga pose. It allows the spine to elongate passively while the person rests over their knees.

To perform the Child’s Pose:

1. Start in a kneeling position.
2. Spread the knees apart to a comfortable point. Then fold the body forwards, bringing the chest down towards the knees.
3. If possible, bring the forehead to the floor, with the arms stretched out in front. The hands should gently rest on the floor, keeping the arms straight.
4. Rest here for 20–30 seconds.
5. Use the hands to gently return to an upright position.

Thread the Needle is a yoga pose that stretches the sides of the body, including the latissimus dorsi. This stretch can also help loosen the muscles of the upper back.

To get the most benefit, focus on keeping the arms extended outwards and maintaining a stretch that is comfortable, not painful.

To perform Thread the Needle:

1. Start on hands and knees, with the knees directly below the hips and the feet in line with the knees.
2. Keeping the hips, knees, and feet still, walk the hands out in front until they are below the shoulders.
3. Take the right arm and pass it under the left arm while rotating the chest. The right hand should rest on the floor, palm up.
4. Lower the right shoulder as far as possible while gently placing the right side of the head onto the floor. Look past the armpit toward the ceiling.
5. Hold this position for 20–30 seconds.
6. Push upward, using the right arm to gently return to the starting position before repeating on the other side.

Like the Child’s Pose, the Cat-Cow Pose is another gentle yoga exercise. It helps stretch and loosen the shoulders and the muscles that run the length of the spine.

To perform the Cat-Cow Pose:

1. Start on hands and knees, with the knees below the hips and the wrists below the shoulders. The spine should be in a neutral position.
2. Breathe in, let the stomach drop toward the ground, and stick the buttocks out. Lift the head and shoulders, push the chest out, and look forward. This is the Cow Pose.
3. Breathe out and rch the back upward like a cat. Tilt the pelvis toward the ribs, drawing the shoulder blades away from each other and the belly away from the ground. Let the head drop toward the floor.
4. Shift between these two poses 5–10 times.

The downward-facing dog pose is another yoga pose that engages the core, and back muscles.

To perform the downward-facing dog pose:

1. Start on all fours with the hands shoulder-width apart and the shoulders above the wrist.
2. Lift the knees and drive through the forefoot to extend the legs straight, allowing the hips to rise.
3. Push through the hands and fully extend into an inverted-V shape.
4. Hold the pose and return to the starting position in a controlled descent.

This yoga pose focuses on active back bending. People with mid back pain may find that they cannot go very far at first.

Back bending helps stretch the chest while strengthening the spine muscles.

To perform the Cobra Pose:

1. Lay face-down on the floor. Extend the legs, with the tops of the feet resting on the floor.
2. Place the hands under the shoulders, with the fingertips pointing forward. Bend the elbows and tuck the arms into the body.
3. Engage the buttocks and leg muscles to help push the legs and feet into the floor.
4. Breathe out. Push up, using the arms, to gently lift the head, then the chest from the floor.
5. If possible, bend the back more by straightening the arms and lifting the chest further from the floor. Some people are not able to do this — only go as far as is comfortable.
6. Hold this position for 20–30 seconds. Then, gently return to the floor and repeat the stretch two to four times.

The bridge can strengthen the muscles that run along the spine as well as those in the buttocks and abdomen. Performing this stretch regularly can help a person maintain an upright posture while sitting or standing.

To perform the bridge:

1. Lie on the back with the knees bent.
2. Rest the flat on the floor, as close to the buttocks as possible.
3. Squeezing the buttocks, raise the pelvis toward the ceiling, while rolling the torso upward until the back is off the ground.
4. Hold for 5 seconds and continue to focus on squeezing the buttocks.
5. Gently lower the torso, slowly letting each vertebra touch the floor until the back rests flat again.

This simple pose can bring relief after sitting at a desk all day. It stretches the scalene neck muscles, the serratus muscles, and the chest.

The passive backbend involves placing a supporting object beneath the back, such as a back roller, a foam noodle, or a rolled up towel or yoga mat.

To perform the exercise:

1. Place the roll on the floor.
2. Lie on the roll so that it rests beneath the shoulder blades, near the middle of the back. Place something under the head if it also needs elevation.
3. Bring the arms away from the body, resting at a 45-degree angle.
4. Hold this position for 1–2 minutes.

Besides stretching, some other simple steps that can help relieve pain and reduce or prevent reoccurrence include:

• staying mobile
• medication
• complementary therapies
• posture correction
• guided exercise like yoga and pilates

Strengthening muscles along the length of the back will help improve a person’s stability and overall back health.

Learn more about exercises for the upper back here.

Learn more about exercises for the lower back here.

Back pain is a common problem that can have serious effects on general health and wellbeing. Regularly stretching the middle back can loosen and strengthen muscles to help improve posture and reduce back pain.