MID BACK PAIN
Understanding Mid Back Pain
Mid back pain affects the thoracic region of the spine—the area between your neck and lower back. Symptoms may develop gradually from prolonged positions or repetitive activity, or more suddenly following an injury. Because this region also connects with the ribs and plays an important role in upper-body movement, understanding what’s contributing to your symptoms can help guide the right approach to recovery.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR SYMPTOMS
Mid back pain can affect more than just your spine.
The mid back works together with the ribs, shoulders, neck, and surrounding muscles during everyday movement. Pain or stiffness in this area can therefore present differently from person to person and may be influenced by several factors.
COMMON SYMPTOMS
Pain between or around the shoulder blades
Stiffness through the mid back
Pain when twisting or rotating
Discomfort with prolonged sitting
Pain with certain reaching or overhead movements
Discomfort around the ribs or with deeper breathing
COMMON CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Muscle or joint irritation
Reduced thoracic mobility
Prolonged sitting or repetitive positions
Repetitive lifting or upper-body activity
Sports or workplace demands
Previous injury
Where you feel pain doesn't always tell us why it's there.
Assessing how your spine, ribs, shoulders, and surrounding muscles are working together can help identify factors contributing to your symptoms.
RIB PAIN
When it feels like a rib is "out."
People sometimes describe a sharp, localized pain around the mid back or ribs as feeling like a rib is “out” or out of place. Often, this type of discomfort is related to irritation or restricted movement of the joints where the ribs connect with the spine, or the surrounding muscles and tissues.
Symptoms may be aggravated by twisting, reaching, deep breathing, coughing, or certain sleeping positions. An assessment can help determine whether the symptoms are musculoskeletal and what approach to care is appropriate.
HOW WE CAN HELP
Treatment that's built around how you move.
Rather than treating the painful area in isolation, we assess your mid back along with the surrounding regions that may influence it. This may include looking at spinal and rib mobility, muscle function, strength, and how your neck and shoulders move during the activities that matter to you.
Thorough Assessment
We evaluate movement, joint mobility, muscle function, and your health history to understand what’s contributing to your symptoms.
Hands-On Care
When appropriate, treatment may include chiropractic adjustments, joint mobilization, and soft tissue therapy.
Rehabilitation
Targeted exercises help improve strength, mobility, and long-term function while reducing the likelihood of recurring symptoms.
Education
We evaluate movement, joint mobility, muscle function, and your health history to understand what’s contributing to your symptoms.
Every treatment plan is individualized. The techniques we use depend on your symptoms, your goals, and how you respond throughout your recovery.
TAKING THE NEXT STEP
Small changes can help keep you moving.
Keep Moving
Regular movement and changing positions throughout the day can help avoid spending long periods in positions that aggravate your symptoms.
Review Your Daily Demands
Consider the activities or positions that repeatedly aggravate your symptoms—such as desk work, lifting, driving, or training. Understanding those patterns can help guide useful changes.
Consider an Assessment If:
- Pain isn’t improving
- Symptoms repeatedly return
- Movement or breathing is uncomfortable
- Pain is limiting work, exercise, sleep, or everyday activities
*Please note that these are general examples and do not replace medical advice.
Seek Urgent Medical Attention If:
- Severe pain following significant trauma
- New or progressive weakness, numbness, or difficulty walking
- Chest pain, significant shortness of breath, dizziness, or other concerning symptoms
- Fever, unexplained weight loss, or feeling systemically unwell alongside persistent mid back pain
*Please note that these are general examples and do not replace medical advice.
Let's build a plan that works for you.
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, dealing with ongoing pain, or looking to improve the way you move, we’re here to help you take the next step with confidence.