UPPER BACK PAIN

How the KiRO Clinic relieves muscle tension, postural strain & spinal restrictions with chiropractic care?

Upper back pain can feel like a dull ache between the shoulder blades, a stabbing pain when you move, or a persistent tightness that never goes away, especially
if you spend long hours at a desk or carry children frequently! At the KiRO Clinic, we specialise in treating upper back pain by correcting posture, releasing muscular tension, and restoring healthy spinal function through treatment and training.

UPPER BACK PAIN

How the KiRO Clinic relieves muscle tension, postural strain & spinal restrictions with chiropractic care?

Upper back pain can feel like a dull ache between the shoulder blades,
a stabbing pain when you move, or
a persistent tightness that never goes away, especially if you spend long hours at a desk or carry children frequently! At the KiRO Clinic, we specialise in treating upper back
pain by correcting posture, releasing muscular tension, and restoring
healthy spinal function through treatment and training.

WHAT CAUSES UPPER BACK PAIN?

The upper and mid back (thoracic spine) and surrounding muscles are highly susceptible to postural strain, especially from:

  • Prolonged sitting

  • Poor desk ergonomics

  • Lifting or carrying children

  • Repetitive tasks

  • Stress-related tension

Over time, these habits lead to muscle fatigue, joint restriction and poor movement patterns that can create discomfort unless properly addressed.

Upper cross syndrome & upper back pain

Often caused by postural strain, muscular imbalance, or repetitive use. Clients describe a persistent dull ache or tightness—especially with certain movements.

Upper Cross Syndrome is one of the most common postural patterns behind upper back pain. It develops from chronic poor posture, especially during desk work or device use.

Key Features Include:

  • Tight pectoral (chest) and upper trapezius muscles

  • Weak deep neck flexors and middle/lower trapezius

  • Rounded shoulders

  • Forward head posture

  • Pain between the shoulder blades

These imbalances create abnormal stress on the upper spine and surrounding muscles like the rhomboids and mid traps, leading to pain, tension, and reduced mobility.

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Desk posture, rounded shoulders & “Tech Neck Tension”

Working at a computer all day or looking down at devices trains your body into poor alignment. 

Over time, this creates:

  • Forward head posture

  • Rounding of the shoulders

  • Stiffness in the mid-back

  • Reduced breathing capacity from a slouched chest

  • Chronic tension in the upper back

These problems often lead to aching pain between the shoulder blades, stiffness when twisting or reaching and a general sense of “tightness” that stretching alone doesn’t resolve.

Chiropractic adjustments and postural rehab can help reverse this and restore your natural alignment reducing your discomfort and giving you your life back.

Muscle pain in the mid back

The rhomboids (mid back) and middle trapezius (mid back) are key postural muscles responsible for retracting the shoulder blades.

When weakened or overworked, they often develop:

  • Trigger points or “knots” in the muscles

  • Referred pain between the spine and shoulder blades

  • Burning or sharp pulling pain during posture correction

  • Fatigue with prolonged sitting

Chiropractic care targets these areas with a combination of spinal adjustments and muscle release techniques. We also work with 1-1 with guided exercise training to recondition these muscles and prevent recurrence.

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Vertebral restrictions in the thoracic spine

The thoracic spine (mid-back) plays a vital role in supporting posture and allowing shoulder movement. When the vertebrae become restricted or misaligned, you may experience:

Over time, this creates:

  • Local pain or tenderness along the spine

  • “Cracking” or “popping” sensations when moving

  • Difficulty taking a deep breath

  • Sharp pain when twisting, coughing, or sneezing

At the KiRO Clinic we use gentle, precise adjustments to restore motion to these joints, often providing immediate relief and better mobility.

Upper back pain in mothers & new parents

Caring for young children often involves lifting, feeding, holding and carrying, all of which can place excessive strain on the upper back.

Common complaints from parents include:

  • Shoulder blade pain from carrying on one side

  • Upper back tightness from feeding posture

  • Neck and shoulder strain from looking down

  • Painful knots that don’t release with massage

We also offer practical strategies for carrying and lifting that protect your spine and strengthen underlying weakness, to help solidify the treatment so your results last.

How the KiRO Clinic can help!

We take an integrated approach to treating upper back pain by addressing both the spinal alignment and the muscle function that support it.

Our care includes:

  • Chiropractic adjustments for the thoracic spine and ribs

  • Soft tissue therapy targeting rhomboids, traps, and postural muscles

  • Postural re-education and ergonomic advice

  • Functional movement retraining

  • 1-1 guided training to prevent recurrence

We’re here to help you move, breathe, and sit with ease again - without relying on medication or temporary fixes.

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BOOK
YOUR UPPER BACK PAIN CONSULTATION

We’re here to help you move, breathe, and sit with ease - without relying on medication or temporary fixes.

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WHY CHOOSE THE KIRO CLINIC?

  • Postural correction specialists

  • Muscle & joint pain experts

  • Chiropractic care backed by movement science