Thoracic - Mid Back Pain

Signs and Symptoms

Pain or ache in the middle of the back especially between the shoulder blades

Description

The muscles of the spine have tightened, the ribs are slightly misaligned or possible a disc is bulging.

Causes

This condition usually follows a lifting type of injury where you have been carrying something heavy in your arms, comes from poor posture, or follows a coughing incident.

Standard Treatment

RICE - which stands for rest, ice and possibly a support brace. This is accompanied by taking anti-inflammatory medications and at times a muscle relaxant. Failure to respond to this care is followed by physical therapy using ultrasound, muscle stimulation and then at times strengthening exercises if it is chronic.

AK Approach

In addition to most of the standard treatment, the structures of the back are tested to find the ones that were weak that allowed the injury to occur. Specific muscle therapies are used to reduce the spasm muscles and you are taught to do some of these at home. Manipulation is performed to align the spine and ribs to equalize the weight on the vertebral, bones of the spine, structures. Dietary recommendations to speed the healing and reduce inflammation are also considered. Most important is the strengthening of the muscles that support our posture. Care must be taken to look at the whole posture of the body not just the upper back area.