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Back & spine · Patient guide

Mid-Back Pain

Mid-back or thoracic pain may feel like stiffness between the shoulder blades, a localized ache, sharp pain near a rib or discomfort with twisting, reaching or deep breathing.

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Medical illustration of thoracic and mid back pain care in Lehi Utah

The basics

What It Is & How Common It Is

Mid-back or thoracic pain may feel like stiffness between the shoulder blades, a localized ache, sharp pain near a rib or discomfort with twisting, reaching or deep breathing.

There is no single perfect posture that prevents mid-back pain. Time in one position, work or sport demands, previous injury, recovery and current strength may all matter. Because internal conditions can sometimes refer pain here, chest, abdominal, breathing and systemic symptoms are screened before routine musculoskeletal care is recommended.

Health information source: MedlinePlus back pain guide ↗

Common questions

Mid-Back Pain FAQs

What causes pain between the shoulder blades?

Muscles, ribs, thoracic joints, repetitive tasks and training changes can contribute. Neck, shoulder, chest or internal conditions may also refer pain to this area.

Can rib joints contribute to mid-back pain?

Yes. Rib and thoracic-joint irritation can produce localized pain with twisting, reaching or deep breathing, but breathing-related pain should still be screened carefully.

Can sitting at a desk cause mid-back discomfort?

Long periods in one position may aggravate symptoms, but there is no single perfect posture. Movement variety, workload, recovery and strength also matter.

When could mid-back pain be an emergency?

Call 911 when it occurs with chest pressure, difficulty breathing, fainting, sweating or pain spreading to the arm or jaw.

Practical next steps

What You Can Do—and How We Can Help

At home

Start With Sensible Self-Care

  • Change positions and take brief walking breaks
  • Use gentle trunk and shoulder-blade motion
  • Modify the activity that clearly triggered symptoms
  • Avoid forceful self-manipulation
At our Lehi office

Care Built Around Your Findings

  • Screen the thoracic spine, ribs and surrounding regions
  • Assess breathing, rotation, shoulder motion and activity tolerance
  • Use gentle joint and soft-tissue care when appropriate
  • Progress mobility, trunk endurance and lifting capacity

Safety first

When to Get Medical Help Quickly

Call 911 for mid-back pain with chest pressure, difficulty breathing, fainting, sweating or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. Prompt medical evaluation is also appropriate with fever, unexplained weight loss, significant trauma, severe abdominal symptoms or progressive weakness or numbness.

A clear plan starts with an evaluation

Ready to Talk About Your Mid-Back Pain?

We’ll listen, assess your movement and explain whether care at our office is a good fit.

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