Upper Back Pain: How Chiro Therapy Can Help You Achieve Relief

Main points: 

• Gadget use is one of the biggest reasons more Filipinos are dealing with neck and upper back pain.
• Each type has different causes and patterns. Knowing which one you have helps you find the right treatment faster.
• With regular chiropractic care, better workstation setup, and simple daily stretches, upper back pain can be managed and even prevented from coming back

More and more people are dealing with neck as well as upper back pain and screen time is a big reason why. A study in the Philippine Ejournal found that 67% of people who regularly use smartphones, laptops, or tablets reported neck pain, while 57% experienced upper back pain. Women were more likely to experience both compared to men. With gadget use only growing, it’s worth paying closer attention to how our daily screen habits are affecting our bodies. 

Chiro therapy can help by addressing the root cause of the pain. Correcting posture, relieving tension in the spine, and restoring proper alignment so the body can move and feel better. Read on to find out more how the said holistic approach can address upper back pain. 

What is upper back pain? 

Upper back pain or thoracic back pain is discomfort between your neck and pain, which includes your shoulder region. It’s less common than back pain, but it’s still common among Filipinos. 

Difference between upper back pain, lower back pain, and neck pain

Upper back pain, lower back pain, and neck pain each have their own causes, symptoms, and patterns, which is why understanding the difference matters when looking for the right relief.

	Upper Back Pain	Lower Back Pain	Neck Pain
Location	Between the shoulder blades or near the base of the neck	Across the belt line, above the hips, or on one side of the spine	Cervical spine area (back of the neck)
Common Causes	Poor posture, prolonged screen use, desk work, stress	Muscle strain, joint stiffness, poor hip mobility, heavy lifting	Forward head posture, screen use, ligament strain, wear-and-tear arthritis
How It Feels	Tight, tense, or “loaded” shoulders; aching between the shoulder blades	Stabbing or gradual ache; flares when bending, lifting, or sitting too long	Stiffness, soreness, intermittent or persistent ache
Can It Spread?	Yes — often connects with neck pain	Yes — can radiate down one or both legs, all the way to the feet	Yes — can radiate down the arm into the hand; may cause headaches or dizziness
Posture Link	Head and shoulders drifting forward; rounded upper spine	Limited hip mobility forcing the lower back to compensate	Prolonged looking down at screens; forward head posture
Who’s More at Risk	Desk workers, drivers, heavy screen users	People who lift frequently or sit for long hours	Smartphone and laptop users; women more affected than men

What are the symptoms of upper back pain?

The common symptoms of upper back pain often include discomfort that’s sharp stabbing, dull, or cramping. To some, it’s accompanied by spasms and/or headaches. 

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, these are the common symptoms of upper back pain: 

• Dull, aching pain in the middle or upper back that lingers throughout the day
• Sharp or burning pain in a specific spot, often worsened by movement or deep breathing
• Stiffness and muscle tightness across the upper back and shoulder blades, especially in the morning
• Pain that radiates to the shoulders, neck, chest, or arms
• Worsening discomfort when sitting for long periods, hunching over a desk, or looking down at a phone
• Tenderness to the touch along the spine or surrounding muscles
• Muscle spasms that cause sudden, intense tightening in the upper back area
• Numbness or tingling that travels down the arms or into the hands

See a doctor if you experience:

• Upper back pain that doesn’t improve after a few weeks
• Pain accompanied by weakness, numbness, or tingling in the arms or legs
• Difficulty breathing alongside back pain
• Fever, unexplained weight loss, or pain following a fall or injury

Who is at risk of upper back pain? 

Upper back pain is generally the result of acute trauma or repetitive movement injury. However, some factors can make certain individuals more prone to the said ailment. Below are some of them. 

• Desk workers and sedentary adults
• People with poor posture
• Athletes and physically active individuals
• Adults aged 30–60

Desk workers and sedentary adults. People who sit for long hours are among the most at risk for upper back pain. Inactivity weakens the back muscles over time, leaving the spine less supported and more prone to strain. In addition, these individuals are also prone to a condition called tech neck. 

People with poor posture. Slouching or pushing the head forward while looking at screens puts excess load on the thoracic spine. Over time, this can increase upper back curvature and lead to chronic muscle irritation and joint dysfunction.

Athletes and physically active individuals. Overuse injuries and poor lifting mechanics put active people at equal risk. Repetitive motion and heavy lifting can trigger thoracic disc problems and myofascial pain syndrome.

Adults aged 30–60. Back pain rises sharply from age 30 onward as discs lose hydration and muscle mass declines. Women in this age group report slightly higher rates than men.

How chiro therapy can treat upper back pain

Chiro therapy is a holistic and drug-free approach that can be very safe, effective, and efficient when it comes to helping the spine achieve improved posture and ergonomics. Below are methods that doctors perform to treat upper back pain.

• Spinal manipulation
• Soft tissue therapy 
• Mobilization techniques 
• Posture correction 
• Ergonomic counseling 

Spinal manipulation

A thoracic adjustment applies precise force to specific upper back vertebrae to correct partial joint misalignments or subluxations that pinch nerves and cause muscle spasms. This restores normal joint movement, eases nerve pressure, and reduces inflammation. Any popping sound heard during the procedure is simply gas releasing from the joint — normal and harmless.

Soft tissue therapy

Spinal adjustments work best alongside soft tissue therapy. Myofascial release uses sustained pressure to loosen tight connective tissue, while trigger point therapy breaks up painful muscle knots that send discomfort to the upper back and shoulders. Both improve blood circulation, lower inflammation, and relieve the chronic stiffness that often comes with upper back pain.

Mobilization techniques

For patients who can’t tolerate forceful adjustments  such as older adults, those with osteoporosis, or those recovering from injury, chiro doctors employ slow, gentle joint movements instead. They can guide the spine through its natural range of motion without any thrusting force, making them a safer option for sensitive or fragile spinal structures while still improving flexibility and reducing stiffness.

Posture correction

Poor posture from extended hours of sitting or screen use is a major driver of upper back pain. Chiropractors assess how patients hold their body during daily activities and offer practical guidance on maintaining a neutral spine. 

Ergonomic counseling

Chiro doctors are also known to give ergonomic recommendations, which usually include setting monitors at eye level, using proper lumbar support, keeping elbows at 90 degrees while typing, and taking regular movement breaks to prevent strain from accumulating.

Therapeutic exercises and stretches

Home exercises extend the benefits of in-clinic care between visits. Typical stretches include statistic stretches that are specifically designed to help improve posture and mobility.

Upper back pain doesn’t have to be permanent

Upper back pain is no longer just a problem for people who do heavy physical work. Anyone who spends long hours in front of a screen can experience it too. Whether it’s a dull ache between your shoulder blades after a long day or stiffness that keeps coming back, your body is telling you something needs to change.

Chiro therapy is a drug-free way to get to the root of the pain. It doesn’t just treat the symptoms, it also looks at the posture habits and spinal issues that are causing them. With the right treatment and a few lifestyle adjustments, long-term relief is possible.

Experiencing back pain? At Posture Perfect Chiropractic, we can help you move better and feel better — no pain relievers needed.

Book an appointment today and take the first step toward a healthier, pain-free back.

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