Chiropractic Techniques
Thoracic Pain

Mid-back pain is something a lot of people put up with for longer than they should.

It often shows up as stiffness between the shoulder blades, a dull ache that builds through the day, or tightness that makes it uncomfortable to take a deep breath or twist to one side. Some people notice it after long hours at a desk. Others find it flares up during or after physical activity.

Most people don’t realise how much the thoracic spine influences the rest of the body. It connects your neck above and your lower back below. It supports your ribcage and plays a role in how you breathe, how you move, and how you carry yourself.

At Northbridge Chiropractic, we look at what may be driving your thoracic pain, not just where it hurts.

What Can Contribute to Thoracic Pain 

Thoracic pain can develop for a number of different reasons. Some of the most common things we see include:

➜ Prolonged sitting or desk work, particularly when the upper back rounds forward over time.

➜ Postural imbalances that place uneven load through the mid-back and surrounding muscles.

➜ Muscle tension or spasm, often related to stress, overuse, or compensating for restrictions elsewhere.

➜ Joint restrictions in the thoracic spine that reduce normal movement and cause localised stiffness or aching.

➜ Disc changes or irritation in the thoracic region, which can sometimes refer pain around the ribcage.

➜ Injuries from sport, lifting, or sudden awkward movements.

➜ Underlying conditions such as arthritis, which can affect the thoracic joints over time.

➜ Breathing-related tension, where the mid-back tightens in response to shallow or restricted breathing patterns.

We start with a thorough assessment before anything else.

We look at how your thoracic spine is moving, where there may be restrictions or areas of tension, and how your posture and overall spinal function may be playing a role. Thoracic pain rarely exists in isolation. How you sit, breathe, move, and hold yourself throughout the day all feed into the picture.

Depending on what we find, your care may include chiropractic adjustments to support movement and function in the thoracic spine, soft tissue therapy and myofascial release for the muscles of the mid-back and surrounding areas, dry needling to address trigger points contributing to pain and tension, breathing and postural guidance to support the thoracic region between visits, and specific exercises or stretches tailored to your situation.

Your body adapts to what you do daily. Alongside hands-on care, we often discuss small practical changes that can make a meaningful difference over time.