UPPER BACK PROBLEMS
How is the thoracic spine designed and what is its function?
The thoracic spine is part of the backbone that runs through the back of the chest and is made up of 12 vertebrae (the circular bones that make up the backbone). Attachesd to your thoracic vertebrae are your ribs, which means, unlike your neck (cervical spine) and lower spine (lumbar spine), your thoracic spine is very stable and not particularly flexible.
What are the causes of Upper back pain?
There are many causes of thoracic pain. Some result from acute injuries which cannot be avoided, such as falls or an automobile accident resulting in injury. Other causes can be avoided and result from the use of "bad" or improper habits and techniques, such as poor posture and improper lifting. These "other causes" make up the majority of thoracic pain and can be effectively treated once the cause(s) is/are identified and the appropriate measures to avoid these "bad" and improper habits and techniques are implemented.
Some of the more common causes of thoracic pain include:
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misalignment in the shoulder or collar bone joints.
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lack of proper spinal alignments.
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presence of thoracic spinal joint restrictions.
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improper workstation setup.
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poor posture.
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prolonged sitting.
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excessive repetitive arm motion.s
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improper telephone techniques.
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restrictive rib joint motion.
Treatments
The Wolff Clinic treatment for thoracic pain incorporates the use of many therapies (ei: Neuro Muscular Strength Testing, NMST), all of which are gentle, safe, natural and non invasive. in most cases however, the chiropractor will use an adjustment to correct spinal restrictions or joint misallingments. An adjustment involves the gentle and specific application of a force to the joint or spine in order to allow the body to restore normal joint and nervous system function. This is pain FREE. Management of the condition may involve specific advice on exercise and rehabilitative measures as well as lifestyle and nutritional counceling.