Should I Go to a Chiropractor for Upper Back Pain?

Back pain is a common health issue that affects many people. There are several treatment options for this problem, one of them being chiropractic care. Chiropractic care is a hands-on approach that involves spinal manipulation.

Research shows that chiropractic care is effective in treating people suffering from acute low and upper back pain by relieving pain and improving function in patients. 

What Is Upper Back Pain?

Upper back pain, also known as the thoracic spine, is a spine-related condition that can cause discomfort. Cases of upper back pain continue to rise every year. It affects people who work at a desk or spend a lot of time in a sitting position.

It is also a result of poor posture, injury, falling, repetitive stress, and joint or muscular irritation. If you have upper back pain that is persistent and treatments such as injections are not working, you want to consider chiropractic care.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Chiropractic Care?

Not everyone with upper back pain is a good candidate for chiropractic care. You don’t need to see a chiropractor if your upper back pain is not severe and goes away quickly. You should see a chiropractor if you have severe upper back pain that is affecting your quality of life. Sometimes, the pain may go away. But it often comes back, affecting your routine or work performance. 

How Chiropractic Care Can Help With Upper Back Pain

Chiropractic care is popular with people who prefer getting treatment that does not involve surgery or medications. It is a non-invasive procedure that helps patients manage pain and relieve swelling caused by upper back pain. 

Before you can begin chiropractic care, your chiropractor will gather information about you by asking questions—what you do for a living, the level of your pain, what caused your upper back pain, and if you have any other symptoms, among other questions. They will also ask for your medical report so that they can see your MRI or X-rays if you have them. 

Next, the chiropractor will do an exam to assess the mechanical and medical aspects of your pain. During the exam, the chiropractor will look at your alignment, body movement, nerve function, and muscle tone. After the chiropractor has an idea of what could be happening with your spine, they will recommend a treatment technique that will address the problem. Your chiropractor’s focus will be to relieve pain around the affected area.

The manual manipulation of your back by a chiropractor is not a painful process. You must attend more than one session to get the best results. Once your spine has a proper alignment, your chiropractor will offer advice on how to prevent upper back pain in the future.

After the process, you may be a little sore or tired. It is normal. You can feel the results in less than 24 hours and notice most of your symptoms are gone. There are no complex side effects associated with chiropractic care. 

Health Benefits Chiropractic Care Provides

• Increased muscle strength and tone.
• Improved flexibility.
• Improved range of motion.
• Decreased inflammation.
• Reduced pain and discomfort.

For more on chiropractic care and upper back pain, visit the Back and Neck Pain Centers Chiropractic at our offices in Seattle, Bellevue, or Tukwila, Washington. You can also call (206) 233-0818, (206) 772-0088, (425) 649-9335 or (425) 243-1200 to book an appointment today.