Middle Back Pain Management

Yes. Chiropractors assess the thoracic spine, ribs and posture together, then use gentle adjustments, thoracic mobilisation and targeted exercises to relieve tension and restore healthy movement.

Pain between the shoulder blades is commonly linked to thoracic joint dysfunction, postural strain from desk work, or rib joint restriction, and often improves with hands-on treatment combined with postural correction exercises.

Yes. Prolonged desk work, rounded shoulders and forward head posture place ongoing strain on the thoracic joints and surrounding muscles, which is one of the most common contributors to middle back pain.

Pain that changes with breathing is often linked to rib joint (costovertebral) restriction and can usually be assessed and managed with gentle chiropractic care, though sudden chest pain or breathing difficulty always warrants urgent medical attention.

No referral is required in Australia to book a chiropractic consultation. You can book directly online.

The heart, lungs, gallbladder, stomach, pancreas, kidneys and the aorta can all refer pain to the middle back. Get urgent medical care if mid-back pain comes with chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, fever, or pain that doesn't change with movement or position.

Red flags include constant pain that is worse at night, pain after a fall or accident, fever, unexplained weight loss, a history of cancer or osteoporosis, chest pain or breathlessness, and numbness or weakness in the legs. These need medical assessment first.

Most mechanical mid-back pain eases with regular movement, breaks from long sitting, gentle upper-back mobility exercises and heat for comfort. If it lasts more than a couple of weeks, keeps coming back or you have any red flags, get it assessed.

Both are registered health practitioners who assess and manage musculoskeletal pain, and research doesn't show one is clearly better for middle back pain. What matters more is a proper assessment, a clear explanation and a plan that includes exercise. If another practitioner would suit you better, we'll tell you and refer you.

Medicare can cover part of the cost if your GP decides you have a chronic condition (usually present for six months or more) and refers you under a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan. It covers up to 5 allied health visits a year, shared across all allied health services. At Spirit Chiropractic, returning plan visits are bulk billed and the first plan visit has a gap. Private health extras may also cover part of a consultation, but not for the same visit as Medicare.

At Spirit Chiropractic a first (comprehensive) consultation is $150 for 50 minutes, standard follow-up consultations are $90 (20 minutes) and short consultations are $60 (10 minutes). We're open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10am to 6pm, so Saturday appointments are available. We don't offer after-hours appointments.