Upper & Mid Back Pain Treatment in Grand Rapids
That nagging ache between your shoulder blades. A sharp catch along a rib when you twist or take a deep breath. Upper and mid back pain can wear on you all day, whether you’re at a desk, behind the wheel, or working with your hands. We look for the cause of the problem instead of just covering up the symptoms.
Why the Upper and Mid Back Hurts
Your mid back, or thoracic spine, is the section between your neck and low back where your ribs attach. Each rib connects to the spine with small joints that move every time you breathe and turn. When those joints get stiff or irritated, or the muscles around your shoulder blades get overworked, the result can be aching, tightness, or sharp pain that sometimes wraps around toward the chest.
Common Causes
- Posture: rounded shoulders and forward head from desks, phones, and driving. See our posture correction page.
- Rib joint irritation: a “rib out” feeling that hurts with a deep breath, twisting, or reaching. Read more in our rib misalignment article.
- Muscle strain: overworked muscles between and around the shoulder blades
- Lifting and twisting: shoveling snow, splitting wood, carrying kids, or long hours of physical work
- Sleeping position: waking up stiff from an awkward position or the wrong pillow
- Pain referred from the neck: irritated joints and nerves in the neck can be felt over the shoulder blade. See our neck pain page.
Where Does It Hurt?
Where you feel it gives us clues about what may be involved:
| Where you feel it | What may be involved |
|---|---|
| Ache between the shoulder blades, worse sitting | Posture strain, stiff mid-back joints, tight muscles |
| Sharp pain beside the spine that catches with a deep breath or twist | Rib joint irritation |
| Pain that wraps around the side of the ribcage | Rib joint or irritated nerve between the ribs |
| Shoulder blade pain with neck stiffness or pain down the arm | Neck (referred pain) |
This is a general guide, not a diagnosis. Patterns overlap, and an exam is what sorts it out.
How We Find the Source
We start with your history: how it started, what movements or positions make it worse, and how it’s affecting work and sleep. Then we check your posture, test how your mid back, ribs, neck, and shoulders are moving, and look for tight or tender muscles. When indicated, we take X-rays in our office. If anything points to a problem outside the spine, we’ll tell you and help you get the right care.
How Chiropractic Care May Help
When the mid-back and rib joints aren’t moving well, an appropriate adjustment may help restore motion and ease the strain on surrounding muscles. Depending on what we find, your plan may include:
- Adjustments to the mid back, ribs, and neck
- Massage therapy for tight muscles around the shoulder blades
- Graston Technique and Active Release Techniques for stubborn muscle tightness
- Stretches and strengthening for the upper back and shoulders
- Posture, workstation, and sleep-position changes
When to Get Emergency Care
Call 911 or go to the ER right away if upper back pain comes with chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or pain spreading into the jaw or arm. Also get prompt medical care for back pain with fever, unexplained weight loss, a history of cancer, or pain after a fall or accident, especially if you have osteoporosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when a rib is “out”?
People often describe it this way when a rib joint near the spine gets stiff or irritated. It can cause sharp pain with breathing or twisting. Gentle adjustments and soft tissue work often help these joints move normally again.
Why does my upper back hurt more at the end of the workday?
Sitting, driving, and looking down at screens put steady strain on the muscles and joints between your shoulder blades. As those muscles fatigue through the day, the ache builds. Improving posture and breaking up long sitting can make a big difference.
Could my upper back pain be something serious?
Most upper back pain comes from muscles and joints. Pain with chest pressure, shortness of breath, fever, or after a fall should be checked by a medical provider right away. Our exam is designed to spot warning signs and refer you when needed.
How long until I feel better?
Many people with posture strain or rib joint irritation notice relief within the first few visits. Longer-standing problems take more time. We’ll give you a realistic timeline after your exam.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can see a chiropractor in Minnesota without a referral. Some insurance plans have their own rules, and our front desk can help you check your benefits.
Stand Tall Without the Ache
If upper or mid back pain is wearing on you, Davis Chiropractic Health & Wellness, P.A. can help you find out why and build a plan to get you feeling better. Reach out to our practice today to schedule your evaluation.
