Treating Mid-Back for Neck and Arm Pain

We help people in our clinic who are struggling with neck and arm pain. These type symptom are sometimes referred to as cervical radiculopathy or  radicular referred pain and can be very painful and limiting for individuals. Although the source of the symptoms is usually the neck region, treatment to the mid-back area can many times be beneficial to help get people moving better with less pain.....

Thoracic Spine Manipulation is a technique that has been found to be help for people with neck and arm symptoms. In a recent research study, Young et al assessed the effects of thoracic manipulation on patients with cervical radiculopathy. They found that one session of manipulation to the mid back region had a positive impact on patient's pain, range of motion, and disability. 

The technique is pretty simple and when performed correctly is very gentle and comfortable for the patient. I will use this with patients when I feel like it may be beneficial and the patient is ok with it being done on them. 

As the study indicates, this can help a patient have less pain and better range of motion which then allows us to get onto the most important part of therapy and recovery-moving in ways that they may not have been able to before because of pain. 

This technique should not be viewed as a "cure-all" or "quick-fix" for neck and arm pain. It is something I use to just help people start moving better with less pain. Recovery from cervical radicular pain can still be challenging and take some time, but treating a bit away from the neck can many times help patients start to feel and move more which can help them recover faster. 

Thanks for reading,
​Bob