Expert: Dr. Man Tran, Ph.D., D.C., L.Ac. - 7/26/2009

Question
Hi Dr Tran, recently i have been experiencing excruciating pain in my middle back, and i keep having to crack it to feel i can open up my airways, especially after a long sit or sleep. My partner is chinese and says i should try accupuncture which i dont know anything about. i have no lower back or neck pain, all the pain is around the middle part, rib height and above. I have difficulty standing upright for long periods of time without pain being caused. My previous jobs may not have helped, lifting heavy patients and then i went on to office job at a computer desk all day. Please can you help me establish whats wrong and what i should do?. Many thanks, jemma

Answer
Hi Jemma,

From what you described, you may have a few ribs and upper back spine "out."  What that means is that due to the lifting and slouching over at the desk (posture) your upper back tightened up and cause the ribs and spine to stiffened up.  When you crack it, it feels better.  However, not the right ribs or vertebras are being moved.  The best suggestion would be to visit a chiropractor office who can appropriately adjust your upper back to loosen up those ribs and muscles.