Upper Back Pain

Upper back or thoracic pain is a frequent complaint at our clinic. It is rarely a standalone issue and often appears alongside pain or dysfunction in the neck, shoulders, or ribs.

Symptoms of Upper Back Pain

Upper back pain often feels like a deep ache and may worsen with movement of the arm, neck, or head. What feels like a tight knot can actually be a rib that is not moving correctly, triggering a protective muscular spasm. Pain with breathing is a common sign that a dysfunctional rib may be involved.

Because the upper back is closely linked to the neck, shoulders, and rib cage, symptoms often appear in several of these areas at once or refer between them. In fact, many presentations to the emergency room for chest pain turn out to be non-cardiac and instead involve dysfunctional tissues of the upper back. Even so, ruling out deeper causes involving the heart or lungs is essential.

Osteopathy for Upper Back Pain

Your practitioner will carry out an examination to identify the structures contributing to your pain, which commonly include the neck, shoulders, ribs, and habitual postural patterns. A treatment plan may involve:

Osteopathy treatment of the structures in the upper back that may be contributing to your pain
Therapeutic exercises and stretches
Identification of ergonomic, training or lifestyle factors that may be contributing to neck dysfunction and other pre-existing symptoms
Ergonomic and postural modifications to help prevent a recurrence
Methods to reduce inflammation including icing certain structures, and/or natural or pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory medications.

Why is Head Above Healthcare the best choice in Brisbane for your Upper Back Pain?

Our team brings experience, care, and a clear, structured approach to helping you resolve upper back pain and regain comfortable, confident movement. Many people in Brisbane trust us because we focus on practical solutions and consistent, personalised care.