Upper Back Pain

The upper back, or thoracic spine, is much more stable than the neck and lower back. The upper back has ribs attached and functions to protect internal organs. Pain the upper back often comes from a neck problem that radiates pain between the shoulder blades. Other common causes of upper back pain are:

• Osteoporosis: weakened vertebrae in the upper back may fracture, causing significant spinal pain.
• Kyphosis or excessive rounding of the upper back can place undue stress on the spine and stretch weakness of the spinal muscles.
• Tightness in the muscles in the front of your chest might increase the rounding of the shoulders and upper back, with associated pain.

Poor posture by itself does not cause pain but can lead to overuse of some muscles and weakness of others, which places undue stress on the nerves, muscles, ligaments and bones in the upper back. Having an Alta therapist evaluate how you move, sit, stand and walk will allow them to develop a treatment plan to get you moving in ways that restore normal patterns of muscle engagement and decrease spinal stress.

We’ve got your back!