Thoracic Spine and Rib Pain Treatment in Salt Lake City

Mid-back and rib pain can make it hard to sit at a desk, turn, lift, or take a full breath. I treat the thoracic spine and ribs with gentle, low-force adjustments, with no cracking, popping or twisting, and the goal of fewer visits overall.

Common causes of mid-back and rib pain

• Long hours of sitting and computer work
• Car accidents, falls and other impacts
• Repetitive lifting, bending, twisting or overhead work
• A rib that feels “out,” with sharp pain when you breathe or turn
• Sports strain and overuse
• Stress carried through the upper back and shoulders

Why the mid-back needs a careful look

The thoracic spine is a long, connected region: twelve vertebrae, twenty-four ribs, the discs and ligaments between them, and the muscles and fascia attached to all of it. Pain in one spot is often the end result of stress somewhere nearby, so the first job is finding where the problem actually starts.

How I treat it

1. Find where it starts

I use the OS Test, a passive leg length check, to find which structure is holding stress and in which direction. For the mid-back I check the thoracic vertebrae, the ribs, the discs and ligaments, and the muscles and fascia that attach to them.

2. Adjust gently

Adjustments are light and specific and made in a neutral position. There is no cracking, popping or twisting, and joints are not pushed to the end of their range.

3. Let it hold

Visits space out as your body holds the correction. Many patients notice meaningful change within the first 1 to 3 visits, and care is not continued without benefit. Once things are stable, maintenance care is monthly at most, stretching to every 6 to 8 weeks.

Who this care suits

• People who want fewer appointments overall
• People who prefer gentle, specific work with no cracking or twisting
• Older patients, people with osteoporosis, and anyone with sensitive joints or old injuries
• Anyone who wants to know within a few visits whether this approach is right for them

If chiropractic care is not appropriate for your situation, I will say so directly.