What it feels like
Aching between the shoulder blades, pain with long sitting, pain that wraps around the ribs, stiffness in the morning.
Common causes
Postural strain, thoracic joint stiffness, rib joint irritation, muscle overuse, less commonly disc problems.
When to get care soon
Chest pain or shortness of breath with the back pain, pain after a fall in an older adult, unexplained weight loss or night pain.
How we evaluate it
Postural and movement assessment, rib and spine mobility testing, and a check that the pain is not coming from elsewhere.
Treatments we use
Physical & Occupational Therapy · Trigger Point Injections · Manual Therapy & Medical Massage · Spinal Traction & Decompression (Brooklyn and Staten Island)
Which of these fits you depends on the evaluation. We explain the options, the likely benefit and the limits before anything is scheduled. Results vary from person to person.
Watch and read more
Who treats it
Our team is ready to help.
Ashley Marcus, MD
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation · Interventional Pain Management
Brooklyn
Jake Stephen, DO
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation · Pain Medicine
Staten Island
Yuri Gordin, MD
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation · Pain Medicine
Midtown Manhattan
Julia Kogan, FNP
Family Nurse Practitioner
Brooklyn
Zoya Reznik, DPT, OCS
Clinical Director · Physical Therapist · Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist
Brooklyn
Maggie (Yi) Zhang, DPT
Physical Therapist
Brooklyn
Victoria Lynn Kain, DPT
Clinical Director · Physical Therapist
Staten Island
Nicholas “Nick” Ursini, DPT
Physical Therapist
Staten Island
Valerie Khodorkovskiy, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist · Upper Extremity & Fine Motor
Brooklyn
Dennis Furman, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant
Brooklyn
Leila Nahmoud, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant
BrooklynSwipe or use the arrows · All providers
Upper back pain treatment near you
For aching between the shoulder blades, a back pain doctor at our Brooklyn office (serving patients from Midwood, Brighton Beach, Bensonhurst and Bay Ridge), our Staten Island office (convenient to Dongan Hills, New Dorp and Midland Beach) or our Midtown Manhattan office (serving patients from Washington Heights, Spanish Harlem and Midtown East) can sort out where the pain is coming from. Physical therapy for upper back pain is offered in Brooklyn and Staten Island, and we work with workers’ compensation and no-fault claims. Request an appointment when you are ready.
Questions
Is upper back pain caused by posture?
Posture contributes, but the fix is strength and movement, not sitting rigidly.
Could it be my heart or lungs?
If you have chest pain, breathlessness or sweating with the pain, call 911 rather than booking an appointment.
What does upper back pain feel like?
Aching between the shoulder blades, pain with long sitting, pain that wraps around the ribs, stiffness in the morning.
What usually causes upper back pain?
Postural strain, thoracic joint stiffness, rib joint irritation, muscle overuse, less commonly disc problems.
When should I get care quickly for upper back pain?
Chest pain or shortness of breath with the back pain, pain after a fall in an older adult, unexplained weight loss or night pain.
How is upper back pain evaluated at Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance?
Postural and movement assessment, rib and spine mobility testing, and a check that the pain is not coming from elsewhere.
Where can I be seen for upper back pain?
At Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance offices in Brooklyn, Staten Island and Midtown Manhattan.
Request an appointment online, or call an office:
An online request is not a confirmed booking until the office contacts you.
Should I see a doctor or a physical therapist for upper back pain?
At Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance, an evaluation checks that the pain is not coming from somewhere else, and physical therapy then works on posture, mobility and strength. Both are part of one plan, with physical therapy at our Brooklyn and Staten Island offices.
Can upper back pain come from a work injury?
Yes. Lifting, long hours at a desk and repetitive tasks can strain the upper back. Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance works with the NY Workers’ Compensation Board, so mention your claim when you call.
General education, not a diagnosis or individual treatment plan. Results vary from person to person. For a medical emergency, call 911.