Thoracic Spine Rotation Stretching and Scapular Retraction in Asthma Patients

Patients with asthma frequently experience upper back stiffness and rounded shoulders and tightness in the thoracic region. Rib cage stiffness occurs due to poor posture and muscle tightness, which leads to decreased chest expansion and increased use of accessory muscles during breathing. Additionally, rounded shoulders can hinder proper opening of the chest, preventing the lungs from expanding properly. Thoracic spine rotation stretching targets the thoracic paraspinal muscles, erector spinae, and intercostal muscles. This exercise helps improve thoracic mobility, increases chest expansion and pulmonary function, and reduces dyspnea. The other exercise is Scapular Retraction, which targets the rhomboids, trapezius, and posterior deltoids that help in chest opening and lead to chest expansion and allow lungs to expand more fully during inhalation. Together, these exercises improve chest expansion and pulmonary function, reduce dyspnea, and improve posture.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age between (18 to 50). * Confirmed diagnosis of asthma based on clinical guidelines. * Nonsmoker. * Chronic asthma. * Thoracic spine abnormality Exclusion Criteria: * Acute asthma * Recent exacerbations. * History of severe cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, infectious diseases. * Any neurological condition. * Cognitive impairment. * Any recent injury of spine, shoulder, or rib cage that limit mobility or cause pain.