Mid-back pain and the role of Massage Therapy and Chiropractic Treatment in Vancouver

Mid back (thoracic) pain is often located between the shoulder blades and can be quite debilitating. Let’s examine the sources of typical thoracic pain.

  • Erector Spinae Muscles: These are long muscles that run the length of your spine. They keep you up-right when standing and when weak, can contribute to thoracic kyphosis (a rounded back)

  • Rhomboid muscles and Trapezius muscles: These muscles connect the scapula (shoulder blade) to the thoracic spine. They are often over-stretched and become tense in individuals who work in front of a computer or look down at their phone.

  • Thoracic facet joints: These are the joints in the spine that are stuck, preventing you from standing up tall.

  • Costovertebral and Costotransverse joints: These are the rib joints that allow you to breathe properly! These joints can get stuck and cause sharp pain with deep breaths. This is known as a rib issue

  • Cervical nerves, Cervical herniated discs, and cervical joints are located in the neck and can refer/radiate pain down into the mid back!

  • Smaller back muscles and ligaments: serratus posterior superior, interspinous ligaments

Have your midback pain assessed by a Vancouver chiropractor or RMT to receive the correct type of treatment.

Massage therapist RMT in Vancouver treating mid back pain and shoulder tension

Chiropractic and midback pain

After a thorough assessment, your Vancouver chiropractor may treat the joints of your mid back (thoracic facet joints and costovertebral joints). This is accomplished by gently guiding the joints into proper motion with the use of mobilizations or adjustments. Strengthening exercises are also recommended to target the weakened muscles and improve posture.

New patient with mid back pain looking for treatment in Fairview Vancouver

Massage Therapy for mid back tension and pain relief

Massage therapy focuses on the muscles and fascia of the body, including the mid back. Your Vancouver RMT can alleviate the tension and knots that they find in the mid back muscles such as the trapezius, rhomboid muscles, and erector spinae muscles. They will also assess the joints and may do joint mobilizations. The goal of massage therapy in this area is to provide relief to the over used and injured mid back area.

Chiropractor Vincent Ng in Vancouver showing exercise for mid back pain and improving posture

Ready to get your mid back pain assessed and start your healing journey? Let us help you!