What causes pain in the center of the back?

You can feel it when you’re walking the dog. It keeps you from falling asleep at night. It may even keep you from putting in a full day of work. These are just some of the effects that pain in the center of your back can have in your daily life, and there are many issues that can cause it. 

The likelihood that your life will be affected by back pain is high. After all, it’s estimated that 80% of people experience some type of back pain in their lifetime. When you feel pain in the center of your back, it’s known as thoracic back pain. Physical therapists can help you figure out the cause of your pain, and they also offer effective treatment options for people with thoracic back pain. 

Common issues that cause pain in the center of the back

Thoracic back pain is found between the base of the neck and just below the last of your ribs. This area of the back is also called the middle back, and it’s far less prone to pain than the neck or lower back. However, there are issues that can cause thoracic back pain. A few of the most common of these issues are: 

• Back muscle strains
• Poor posture
• Facet joint osteoarthritis
• Herniated discs
• Pinched nerves
• Carrying a backpack improperly
• Osteoporosis

Ways a physical therapist can treat thoracic back pain

Treating pain in the center of your back is something a physical therapist can do. Initially, your therapist will want to assess your back to determine what’s causing your pain. Only then will they take steps to treat it. They’ll develop a treatment plan entirely personalized to your needs, and this plan may include therapy methods such as: 

• Soft tissue mobilization that can speed up the healing of muscle strains.

• Joint mobilization intended to improve the mobility of arthritic facet joints.

• Dry needling designed to ease tension and pain caused by myofascial trigger points. 

• Anodyne^® therapy that can improve blood flow and decrease pain. 

• Therapeutic exercises designed to improve the ability of back muscles to support the spine. 

Need help with thoracic back pain? Peak Performance can help you!

You might not be sure where to turn for help with pain in the center of your back, but our team at Peak Performance offers top-notch physical therapy services for your pain. We can do a free screening of your back that can reveal the source of your pain. Furthermore, our physical therapists are adept at constructing personalized therapy plans, and these plans are designed to reduce your pain and prevent it in the future. 

Having difficulty leaving home because of your pain? You don’t have to leave home to get effective physical therapy from our team. This is possible thanks to the virtual therapy sessions we offer. 

Contact us today for more information about our back pain treatment options or to schedule an initial appointment.