By Dr. Joseph Mejia, DO, FAAPMR
Medical Director, Performance Ortho

Identifying Upper Back Pain

Finding solutions for upper back pain has been a primary goal at Performance Ortho for over 25 years, with patients often describing dull and aching pain between the shoulder blades or sharp, stabbing sensations after a long day at the desk. While it may not be as common as lower back pain, discomfort in the upper spine can still disrupt daily activities, limit movement and even impact sleep. The good news is that most cases are manageable without surgery through Performance Ortho’s unique multi-disciplinary care model where surgeons, physicians and therapists work side by side to develop a treatment pain tailored to your goals.

At Performance Ortho, our specialists understand how frustrating back pain can be and how easily it can interfere with your ability to live comfortably. Whether your pain stems from stress, muscle strain or an underlying spinal condition, relief often begins with identifying the true source of discomfort.

The primary goal of your first consultation at Performance Ortho is to identify the underlying cause of your condition. During your visit, you’ll meet one-on-one with an orthopedic specialist who will conduct a thorough evaluation, often including diagnostic imaging. All diagnostic imaging is performed in-house, including digital X-rays, diagnostic ultrasound, and neurodiagnostic testing. This streamlined approach means you’ll leave your appointment not only with a clear diagnosis, but also with a personalized treatment plan and a clear path to recovery.

Common Causes of Upper Back Pain

Upper back pain tends to originate from the muscles, joints, or connective tissues surrounding the spine and are less likely due to spinal disc problems. Common contributors include but are not limited to:

• Poor posture: Hours spent hunched over a computer or phone place excessive strain on the muscles that support the upper spine. Over time, this imbalance can lead to stiffness and fatigue, often referred to as “tech neck”. Research shows that every 10 degrees your head leans forward creates 10-12 lbs. of additional stress on the neck and upper back joints.
• Muscle strain or overuse: Lifting heavy objects incorrectly, repetitive motions, or sudden movements can irritate muscles and ligaments in the upper back. CrossFit is a common culprit of these types of injuries along with overhead weight training.
• Stress and tension buildup: Contrary to popular belief, emotional stress has the potential to manifest physically. Tightness in the shoulders and neck can lead to muscle knots and aching between the shoulder blades.
• Injury or trauma: Motor vehicle accidents often result in whiplash injuries to the neck and upper back, causing muscle tears, joint irritation, or even compression fractures in the spine.
• Spinal or joint conditions: Degenerative disc disease, arthritis, scoliosis, and herniated discs are less common than lumbar issues, but can still cause upper back pain, stiffness and nerve pain.

Lifestyle Adjustments to Prevent Pain

Outside of professional medical intervention, long-term relief requires consistent attention to daily habits that support spinal health.

Dr. Mejia elaborates: “Many patients are surprised by how much relief they can achieve through simple lifestyle adjustments, especially when paired with the comprehensive care we provide at Performance Ortho. Optimizing your workspace ergonomics, improving posture, and adding low-impact movement like walking or gentle mobility work all support long-term spine health. Our goal is not just to treat pain at its root source, but to help patients build habits that keep it from returning.” 

Upper Back Pain Conditions

Lifestyle modification aside, we utilize innovative solutions to treat spine and lumbar conditions specifically affecting the upper back. Many of these conditions target the cervical and thoracic spine regions, which range from the lower neck through the mid-back. Wear and tear on these discs or inflammation within the vertebrae can cause severe localized pain and run up against the surrounding nerves, causing pain to radiate.

An example of age-related wear and tear presenting in the upper back is spine facet syndrome. This causes pain through inflammation or stiffness in the small joints connecting the vertebrae, wherein these joints become arthritic. You may be suffering from facet joint pain if you find yourself leaning forward to reduce pressure on spinal joints for pain relief.

Another common upper back condition we aim to solve non-surgically is radiculopathy. This is when the nerve roots in the spine become compressed or irritated as they exit between the vertebrae. When a nerve is pinched, it can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms and affect motor control.

At Performance Ortho, we specialize in exploring every innovative, non-surgical option to relieve upper back pain. Our team walks alongside each patient, combining lifestyle optimization with personalized treatment plans to ensure results that are not only effective but long-lasting.

Since Performance Ortho uses a truly team-based approach, patients have access to a wide spectrum of treatment options; from conservative therapies such as physical or occupational therapy, manipulative therapy and acupuncture to more advanced interventions including epidural injections, radiofrequency ablation and regenerative treatments like stem cell and PRP injections.

When to Seek Professional Help

While occasional tightness or soreness is common, persistent or worsening upper back pain can signal a deeper issue. You should schedule an appointment with a Performance Ortho specialist if you experience:

• Pain lasting longer than 2-3 weeks
• Persistent back pain that is not reduced by changing position
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or hands, with pain originating in the upper back
• Sudden, sharp pain following an injury or accident
• Pain that interferes with breathing, sleep, or daily activities

Early evaluation helps prevent minor issues from progressing into chronic conditions. Understanding the root cause of your pain is just as important as mitigating the pain.

Dr. Mejia explains further, “Relieving back pain starts with understanding the ‘why’ behind it. Our team focuses on restoring both structure and function so patients can move confidently again without relying on temporary fixes. That’s the heart of our Performance Promise.”