3 Causes of Mid-Back Pain & Care Options at Restore Chiropractic

Mid-back pain, located in the thoracic spine (the area between your right shoulder blades and the bottom of your rib cage), is often overshadowed by neck and low-back pain. However, because the thoracic spine is attached to your rib cage, pain in this area can feel particularly restrictive, making even a deep breath feel like a chore. 

If you’re struggling with a “knot” between your shoulder blades, it’s important to understand the root cause. At Restore Chiropractic, we can help you determine the cause of your mid-back pain and offer holistic solutions to ease the pain. 

Common Causes of Mid-Back Pain

The mid-back is designed for stability and protection of your vital organs. When it hurts, it’s usually because that stability has been compromised or the surrounding muscles are overcompensating. Let’s take a look at some of the main causes of mid-back pain. 

1. “Tech Neck” and Postural Strain

This is the leading cause of mid-back pain in our modern world. When you are hunched over a laptop or smartphone, your head moves forward, pulling on the muscles and ligaments of the mid-back. This results in the muscles between your shoulder blades becoming overstretched and weak, while your chest muscles become tight. This creates a rounded-shoulder look known as “Upper Cross Syndrome.” 

2. Rib Misalignment (Subluxation)

Each of your 12 thoracic vertebrae has a pair of ribs attached to it. If a vertebra shifts slightly out of alignment, it can pull the attached rib, causing a subluxation. This often causes sharp, stabbing pain that feels like its piercing through your chest and can worsen when you take a deep breath or twist. 

3. Myofascial Trigger Points

The muscles in the mid-back, such as the rhomboids and trapezius, are prone to developing “knots” or trigger points. These are tight bands of muscle that stay in a state of contraction. They typically result in persistent, aching pain that can radiate into the neck or down the arms. 

How Restore Chiropractic Can Help

Chiropractors are uniquely trained to address the structural and neurological aspects of mid-back pain. Rather than masking pain with anti-inflammatory medications, chiropractic care focuses on restoring the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. 

At Restore Chiropractic, we can make targeted adjustments, which involve making specific, manual adjustments to the thoracic vertebrae. By applying a controlled force to stuck joints, we can restore your range of motion, relieve nerve pressure, and reset the ribs. 

We can also use the Torque Release Technique (TRT), which is an effective way to manage chronic pain without manual adjustments. Using a tool called the Integrator, we can make gentle, precise adjustments and help correct subluxations. 

Another way to help relieve thoracic tension is by retraining your body to hold itself correctly. Most chiropractors will provide specific exercises to strengthen the postural muscles and stretch your pectorals. 

The Benefits of a Healthy Thoracic Spine

When your mid-back is aligned and moving correctly, you’ll notice more than just a lack of pain. You may also notice your breathing is better, due to increased mobility allowing for fuller lung expansion. You will also notice improved shoulder health and reduced headaches. 

Find Mid-Back Pain Relief with Restore Chiropractic

Mid-back pain should not feel “normal.” If you are experiencing continuous mid-back pain, make an appointment with Restore Chiropractic. Our experienced team will help you find relief through holistic, non-invasive treatment. 

Book an appointment today!