Mid Back Pain Treatment In Belmar, NJ

Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

When a patient comes into the office with mid back pain, it’s essential to take a thorough history to determine what may have caused it. In our office, we go above and beyond to ascertain what past history (even years ago) may have contributed to the patient’s current state. Middle back pain can be caused by accidents, injuries, repetitive stress, or poor posture. It’s critical to really listen to our patients so we can try to determine what may be causing the pain. Once we have the history, we can move into the exam.

We do a thorough spinal examination in our office. We perform orthopedic, chiropractic, and functional tests, palpation, range of motion, and postural exams. Then, we take a series of digital X-rays to see the spine and its problems clearly. At Kinney Chiropractic, we do not want to guess what the problem might be. We want to see so we know the root cause of the problem.

Specific Chiropractic Care in Belmar, NJ

The thoracic spine is the largest portion of the spine, composed of 12 vertebrae. Many joints, nerves, ligaments, and tendons make up the thoracic spine, so many things can cause middle back pain. During the exam, we will identify the particular joints that are restricted or not moving well. We call these restrictions in the spine: subluxations. This is where joints may be out of normal alignment, stuck or locked, or not moving well and often cause abnormal pressure on the nerves. Subluxations are totally correctable, usually giving rise to immediate relief.

Adjustments are what chiropractors use to correct subluxations. Once we know where the subluxations are, we utilize small forces in the spine to improve motion, correct alignment, and alleviate pressure on the nerves.

Massage Therapy and Soft Tissue Work

Massage therapy is another great tool to help support adjustments and alleviate abnormally tight and spasming muscles in the middle back. Poor posture, old injuries, accidents, repetitive stressors, or scoliosis are some leading causes of middle back pain. If muscles are abnormally tight, it’s important to loosen up and support the soft tissues around the spine so the Chiropractic adjustments can be effective.

At Kinney Chiropractic, we have a massage therapist on staff who is available by appointment to perform massages on patients who feel they need the additional support to lessen the tension and pain associated with very tight muscles.

Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan

Certain movements can worsen middle back pain, and we try to discover this during your exam. That’s why knowing proper movements or exercises to support your middle back and lessen pain is so important. Abnormal alignment or motion in the joints is what causes pain. Proper stretches and exercises will help restore joint motion and movement and improve flexibility.

At Kinney Chiropractic, we prescribe specific stretching and strengthening exercises for each patient depending on their condition to help minimize pain and maximize motion. Plans are customized and specific to each patient to help reduce pain and support their chiropractic care plan. Exercises that focus on improving mobility, stability, flexibility, and strength get patients out of pain and prevent future aches and injuries.

Muscle Strain

There are many soft tissue attachments in the middle back spine, around the shoulder blades, in between ribs, and attachments up into the lower neck that perform a variety of movements. If done improperly, these motions and movements can create opportunities for muscle strain, leading to partial fiber damage that creates soreness and inflammation.

Manual muscle/soft tissue therapy, stretching, and exercises can help speed recovery. At Kinney Chiropractic, we support all adjustments with soft tissue muscle therapy.

Rib Subluxation

Rib subluxations are commonly referred to as a ‘rib out of place’. This can happen with accidents, injuries, and poor posture, but also with intense coughing, sneezing, or asthmatic wheezing. The rib partially shifts out of place at the joint where the rib head meets the spine. The pain can be sharp, especially with breathing or any rib cage expansion.

Chiropractic adjustments are very effective at providing safe, gentle, instant relief for rib head subluxations.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is an idiopathic condition (meaning no one knows why) that can start at birth. Throughout the growth process, lateral curvatures develop in the spine, distorting posture and affecting joints asymmetrically. Scoliosis occurs more commonly in girls than boys. Usually, scoliosis only advances during the growing years, worsens during puberty, and usually stops with the end of puberty and growth. Often scoliosis can go unnoticed and cause no symptoms. But some can advance to be more noticeable, more serious, and cause pain. Serious cases need more invasive care, such as bracing. Severe cases may require surgery.

At Kinney Chiropractic, we see many cases of scoliosis. Chiropractic adjustments don’t cure scoliosis, but we have seen a slow down or reduction of lateral curvature in some cases. We treat with adjustments and prescribe supportive stretches and exercises to get the best results possible.