Upper Back Pain
Upper back pain usually shows up as tightness or aching across the shoulders and between the shoulder blades, often worse at the end of a workday. It is closely tied to neck posture, which is why we examine both together.
Common causes
- Forward-head posture and rounded shoulders
- Restricted joints in the upper thoracic spine
- Tension in the upper trapezius and levator scapulae
- Repetitive overhead activity or carrying loads on one side
- Stress-related muscle guarding
Our approach
Care is built around the exam findings and may include adjustments to the upper thoracic spine and neck, soft-tissue work for tight shoulder and neck muscles, and simple stretches and strengthening you can do at your desk.
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