The stiff link that overloads everything around it.
Pain between the shoulder blades is common, but the bigger problem is what a stiff upper back does to its neighbors. When the thoracic spine and rib cage stop moving, the neck, shoulders, and low back are forced to work too hard. We restore motion to the middle of the chain, so everything around it can calm down.
The symptoms
- Aching or burning between the shoulder blades
- Stiffness turning, reaching, or taking a deep breath
- Rounded, slumped posture you can't seem to fix
- Rib pain with breathing, coughing, or twisting
- Neck, shoulder, or low-back pain that keeps coming back
The hidden causes
- Hours of sitting and looking down
- Stiff thoracic joints and ribs
- Tight chest and rounded shoulders
- Weak shoulder-blade and postural muscles
- Shallow breathing patterns
Our plan
- Whole-chain assessment from the feet to the neck
- Hands-on correction of thoracic and rib restrictions
- Shoulder-blade and posture strengthening
- Breathing and mobility retraining
- A home program and tune-up plan to keep the upper back moving
The principleFree up the upper back, and the neck, shoulders, and low back stop picking up its slack.
Above and below upper back & rib cage.
Your body moves as one connected chain, from the ankle and foot to the cervical spine. Red marks the link that usually ends up working too hard; blue marks the links we most often find stiff.
Often overloaded
Often overloaded
See a doctor first if you have:
- Chest pain, pressure, or shortness of breath
- Pain with fever or unexplained weight loss
- Pain after a fall or accident
- Numbness or weakness in the legs
- A history of cancer with new back pain
For a medical emergency, call 911.
Why does my upper back hurt if I sit all day?
Sitting and looking down lets the thoracic spine and rib cage stiffen in a rounded position. The muscles between your shoulder blades are stretched and overworked holding you up, and the stiffness shifts its load onto the neck, shoulders, and low back.
Can a stiff upper back cause neck or shoulder pain?
In our experience, very often. The neck and shoulders depend on a mobile upper back and rib cage. When those stiffen, the neck and shoulders are forced to work too hard, and that's frequently where the pain shows up.
Will I need to keep coming back?
Not forever. Once the chain is corrected and your body knows what normal feels like, most people simply come in for occasional check-ups and tune-ups to catch small problems early.
Do I need a referral?
Call us at 817-479-7168 and we'll walk you through what your insurance and situation require.
What are you
waiting for?
We offer a free consultation for anyone who would like to know how Movement Correction Therapy may help them with their persistent pain.
817-479-7168