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You don't have to live with Upper and Mid Back Pain

Get effective treatment for your back pain, and get back to doing what you enjoy. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Ashford at Ashford Pain Solutions in Athens, Georgia, today. 

Upper and Mid Back Pain

Woman with pain indicated by red area of her upper back

Upper and mid back pain, sometimes called thoracic spine pain, affects the middle portion of the back between the neck and the lower spine. While it is less common than neck or lower back pain, it can still cause significant discomfort and interfere with daily life. Patients often describe aching, stiffness, or burning pain between the shoulder blades or in the middle of the back, sometimes radiating around the chest or ribs.

Upper Back Pain Q & A

You don't have to live with Back Pain

Get effective treatment for your back pain, and get back to doing what you enjoy. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Ashford at Ashford Pain Solutions in Athens, Georgia, today. 

  • What causes upper and mid back pain?

    Upper and mid back pain may develop from: 

     

    • Poor posture and repetitive strain - sitting at a desk, hunching over a phone, or lifting heavy objects

    • Muscle strain or ligament injury in the upper or mid back

    • Arthritis and degenerative disc disease in the thoracic spine

    • Herniated or bulging thoracic discs

    • Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)

    • Scoliosis or abnormal spinal curvature

    • Osteoporosis-related compression fractures

    • Traumatic injuries such as falls or car accidents 

  • What are the symptoms of upper and mid-back pain?

    Patients may experience:

    • Aching, burning, or stiffness between the shoulder blades or in the middle of the back

    • Pain that worsens with twisting, lifting, or bending

    • Sharp or stabbing pain that increases with movement or deep breaths

    • Pain that radiates around the chest or ribs

    • Muscle spasms or tightness in the thoracic spine

    • Difficulty maintaining posture or limited mobility

  • How does Ashford Pain Solutions treat upper and mid-back pain?

    At Ashford Pain Solutions, Dr. Ashford specializes in non-surgical, interventional pain management treatments for thoracic spine pain. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include:

    • Facet joint injections or medial branch blocks (MBBs) to relieve arthritis-related pain

    • Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for longer-lasting relief of chronic thoracic pain

    • Epidural steroid injections to decrease inflammation around irritated thoracic nerves

    • Trigger point injections for painful muscle knots and spasms

    • Vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty to stabilize and relieve pain from compression fractures

     

    When appropriate, our team may also recommend physical therapy to improve posture, strengthen muscles, and prevent future strain. 

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Upper And Mid Back Pain Treatment in Athens, GA

At Ashford Pain Solutions in Athens, GA, Dr. James Ashford — an interventional pain management specialist and board-certified anesthesiologist — leads a team dedicated to diagnosing the source of upper and mid back pain and providing advanced, minimally invasive treatments to help patients avoid unnecessary surgery and return to an active lifestyle.

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