The purpose of mobility work is to help systematically unlock your body’s potential—by improving flexibility and performance, and reducing your risk of injury. Many times, you do this by targeting oft-neglected parts of your anatomy.
In the video, Kelly Starrett, author of Becoming a Supple Leopard and creator of MobilityWOD.com, focuses on the thoracic spine, which runs from the bottom of the ribcage to the top of the shoulder blades.
By targeting this area with a move known as the thoracic spine ball smash—which, we can confirm, is not the name of a nausea-inducing Mortal Kombat fatality—you can reduce strain on your lower back, says Starrett, who calls the thoracic spine “one of the hidden reservoirs of potential in the human body.”
All you need is two lacrosse balls, a foam roller, or a thoracic mobility tool. Next, grab a weighted medicine ball or weight plate. Then watch the video to see how just 10 minutes can help improve your back health.
