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Should I See a Chiropractor for Upper Back Pain?

A chiropractor can relieve upper back pain through targeted spinal adjustments, soft tissue techniques, stretches and exercises. They address the root causes of discomfort and pain, providing you with long-term relief. Though not as popular as lower back pain, upper back pain is also a common problem among people of all ages, fitness levels and backgrounds. If left untreated, the pain can worsen and interfere with your daily life and mental peace. The good news is you manage the pain, restore mobility and get back to normal activities after a few chiropractic sessions. This blog discusses the various causes of upper back pain, its warning signs and how chiropractic care helps manage the condition. 

Also Read: 3 Desk-Based Stretches for Lower Back Pain | Active and Pain-Free Living with Bauerfeind

How Does Upper Back Pain Feel Like?

Do you often wake up with stiffness between the shoulder blades or find yourself rubbing your upper back after a long day at work? Don’t worry; you are not alone. Pain in the upper back is not discussed widely but is just as common as other back problems. Most patients describe the pain as a dull ache, sharp pain or even a burning sensation that limits their movement and focus levels. 

Here are the signs you should consult a chiropractor near you for back pain.

Persistent pain that doesn’t go away after 48 hours

You should see your chiropractor if the upper back pain lasts even after 48 hours. 

At times, minor muscle strain or overuse of muscle can cause temporary pain in the upper back which goes away on its own. However, if the pain doesn’t go away, it can affect daily life, indicating you need medical attention urgently. 

Difficulty moving upper back, neck and shoulders

You are most likely to feel stiffness and discomfort in the upper back besides constant pain. Consult a chiropractor if it makes moving the back, neck and shoulders difficult. 

Loss of strength in one of the legs

Upper back pain may not affect the legs directly. Underlying conditions like herniated discs or spinal cord compression in the thoracic spine can cause neurological symptoms that radiate downwards toward the legs. The symptoms may include weakness, numbness or tingling sensations in one of the legs. 

Frequent muscle tension & neck pain

Tightness or muscle knots in the upper back can result in muscle tension and neck pain, thereby aggravating the symptoms. Tension headaches may also stem from upper back pain. 

The first typical symptom is stiffness in the upper back. You may struggle to move your shoulders or neck which was otherwise an easy task prior to the pain. That is the right time to see a chiropractor and get the symptoms addressed. They can assess the issues through physical examinations and determine the underlying cause. The treatments are more effective and yield faster results when you get the treatment at an early stage. 

Also Read: The Top 8 Causes for Lower Back Pain & Discomfort | Frozen Shoulder & the Benefits of Physiotherapy

How Do Chiropractors Help With Upper Back Pain?

Chiropractic care focuses on correcting structural misalignments which are often the main causes of upper back pain and restricted mobility. Chiropractors detect the underlying causes of your pain, whether it’s misaligned vertebrae, irritated spinal nerves or tight muscles. They then use spinal adjustments, manual therapies and exercise to fix these issues and alleviate your symptoms. 

Here are the benefits of chiropractic care for upper back pain.

Long-lasting pain relief

Chiropractors may use spinal adjustments in the thoracic spine to reduce pressure on nerves and joints, reducing your pain and discomfort. 

Improved movement

Chiropractic care restores optimal spinal misalignment and range of motion, helping you move without pain. 

Muscle tension reduction

Chiropractic treatments like soft tissue release therapy ease muscle knots and tightness often caused by muscle overuse, stress or poor posture.  

Drug-free treatment

Chiropractic is a non-invasive treatment which helps you recover by triggering the natural healing process of your body and fixing the spinal alignment. It may reduce your dependence on pain meds to manage pain. 

Neutral posture

You can also maintain a proper posture under the guidance of a licensed chiropractor. Slouching or rounded shoulders cause postural imbalances and contribute to upper back pain. 

Accelerated healing

Chiropractic care speeds up the natural healing process by realigning the spine, improving blood circulation and reducing nerve pressure. This enhances the natural ability to heal and facilitates faster recovery.

Prevention of recurring pain

Chiropractors fix misalignments and improve posture to prevent the recurrence of pain. A properly aligned spine keeps the upper back healthy and reduces the risk of strain or injury. 

 

Chiropractic care plays a significant role in upper back pain management. The treatments focus on realigning the spine, correcting your posture and releasing muscle tension to relieve the pain and restore optimal mobility. 

What are the Chiropractic Treatments for Upper Back Pain?

Chiropractic treatments are non-invasive and drug-free but highly effective. Thus, it helps patients recover and return to a healthy lifestyle without depending on surgeries or pain medicines. 

The common chiropractic approaches to treat upper back pain.

Spinal Adjustments/Manipulations

Chiropractors use gentle, precise and controlled force to fix the spinal misalignments responsible for the pain. Once the spine is realigned, it relieves pressure on nerves and joints and reduces inflammation, letting you move the upper back comfortably. 

Soft Tissue Therapy

It involves the use of manual techniques to relieve tension and enhance blood circulation in the muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia around the thoracic spine. This therapy helps restore your normal upper back movement. 

Exercises and Stretches

Chiropractors prescribe specific stretches and exercises based on your recovery needs. The workouts focus on strengthening the spine, reducing muscle strain and improving flexibility. Doing them daily reduces the pain and prevents pain from recurring. 

Postural Correction Training

Chiropractors also focus on correcting your posture and guiding you to maintain a neutral posture whether you sleep, sit, stand or walk. They provide tailored exercises to correct postural imbalances, which in turn contribute to managing pain. 

Lifestyle Advice

Chiropractors provide guidance on lifestyle changes to prevent upper back pain from recurring. Some of the healthy habits they want people to incorporate are proper lifting techniques, ergonomic setup at work and stress management. 

Every individual is unique. So, chiropractors develop treatment plans from scratch for each patient based on their specific health needs and concerns. If your upper back is troubling you, a chiropractor can examine the symptoms and let you know the right treatments for your condition.

Also Read: Ankle Sprain & the Benefits of Physiotherapy | How Does Physiotherapy Help Prevent Future Injuries?

Can Any Other Non-Invasive Treatment Help?

Yes, non-invasive treatments like physiotherapy, acupuncture and massage therapy are often combined with chiropractic care for comprehensive upper back treatment. It depends on the patient’s medical history, cause and severity of the pain and recovery needs. Chiropractors focus on relieving upper back pain from its core. They address all crucial contributing factors of your upper back pain through a customized treatment plan consisting of treatments like physiotherapy and massage therapy alongside chiropractic care. This helps the professionals at chiropractic clinics like Physiotherapy First provide a comprehensive, patient-centric approach to managing upper back pain effectively.

Also Read: 

10 Signs You Should See a Chiropractor Near You How Chiropractors Help People in Pain?
Long-Term Benefits of Chiropractic Care Role of Chiropractic Care in Winter

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