Living and working in Calgary is demanding. Whether you are hunched over a laptop in a downtown high-rise or dealing with the physical stress of a demanding trade job, pain between the shoulder blades is a remarkably common complaint. It can manifest as a constant, dull, burning ache that distracts you all day, or a sharp, stabbing sensation that literally takes your breath away.
At Shephard Health, our chiropractic team provides expert, people-first care for upper back pain. We understand the complex biomechanics of your thoracic spine and rib cage. We do not simply mask your discomfort with temporary solutions. We focus on diagnosing the root cause of your pain, restoring proper spinal alignment, and giving you the targeted therapy you need to feel your best.
The area between your shoulder blades contains complex, overlapping muscle groups like the rhomboids and trapezius, along with your thoracic spine and rib attachments. When these structures become misaligned, strained, or locked in spasm, the result is intense, localized pain.
Poor Posture and "Tech Neck" Spending hours at a computer often leads to a forward head posture and rounded shoulders. This unnatural position chronically overstretches the muscles in your upper back, leading to severe fatigue, deep tissue knotting, and a persistent burning sensation.
Rib Subluxations Your ribs attach directly to your thoracic spine right between your shoulder blades. A sudden twisting movement, a heavy lifting injury, or even chronic coughing can cause a rib joint to shift out of its proper alignment. This subluxation creates a very sharp, stabbing pain that typically worsens when you take a deep breath or twist your torso.
Muscular Strain and Stress We naturally tend to carry our psychological and physical stress in our upper back and neck. Prolonged tension leads to severe muscle spasms and highly irritable trigger points in the interscapular region.
When you visit our Kensington clinic, we conduct a thorough biomechanical assessment to find the exact source of your pain. Your highly customized treatment plan may include a combination of the following advanced therapies:
Dr. Shephard utilizes specific, gentle adjustments to the thoracic spine and rib joints. This restores proper skeletal alignment, instantly relieves pressure on pinched nerves, and resolves painful rib subluxations.
Chronic poor posture creates dense scar tissue in your upper back muscles. We provide active release therapy in Calgary to expertly break down these adhesions, relieve severe muscle spasms, and restore natural mobility to your rhomboids and trapezius muscles.
For acute muscle strains and joint inflammation, our advanced cold laser therapy penetrates deep into the affected tissues. This speeds up cellular repair and rapidly reduces swelling.
For stubborn, chronic trigger points that refuse to release, we frequently utilize shockwave therapy. This acoustic wave technology helps dissolve tension and increases vital blood flow to the damaged muscles.
You do not have to live with a constant burning ache or sharp pain in your upper back. Our experienced clinical team is ready to help you restore your mobility, correct your posture, and regain your comfort.
Contact Shephard Health today to schedule your comprehensive upper back assessment. Let us help you find the relief you deserve.
