Thoracic and Shoulder Blade Pain

Written By Martin Spitzeck

Thoracic & Shoulder Blade Pain – Expert Physiotherapy Care

Pain around the thoracic spine, shoulder blade and scapula region is extremely common and can significantly impact posture, breathing, lifting, rotation and overhead movements. This pain often develops from poor posture, prolonged sitting, stress-related muscle tension, rib joint stiffness, nerve irritation or muscular imbalance around the shoulder girdle.

At our clinic, we provide evidence-based physiotherapy to identify the source of your pain—whether it’s muscular, joint-related, postural or nerve-related—and treat it with precision.

Common Symptoms

  • Aching or sharp pain between the shoulder blades

  • Tightness or spasm around the upper back and rib cage

  • Pain with deep breathing, rotation or sitting for long periods

  • Radiating pain around ribs or into the shoulder

  • Clicking, catching or a feeling of “tightness” around the scapula

  • Burning pain from irritated thoracic nerves or posture overload

  • Pain when lifting, driving or working at a desk

How Physiotherapy Helps Thoracic & Scapula Pain

✔ Thoracic & Rib Joint Mobilisation

Restores movement to stiff thoracic segments and rib joints, reducing compression and pain.

✔ Soft Tissue Release & Trigger Point Therapy

Reduces spasm and tension in muscles around the shoulder blade including the rhomboids, trapezius, levator scapulae and paraspinals.

✔ Dry Needling

Targets deep muscle knots to relieve pain quickly and improve muscle length.

✔ Postural Correction & Ergonomic Education

Addresses the common underlying problem of forward head posture, rounded shoulders and prolonged sitting.

✔ Scapular Stabiliser Strengthening

Improves control of the shoulder blade using muscles such as the lower traps, serratus anterior and rotator cuff.

✔ Mobility & Stretching Programs

Restores thoracic rotation, extension and rib mobility to reduce mechanical stress.

✔ Breathing Pattern Retraining

Corrects shallow or dysfunctional breathing patterns that overload the thoracic muscles.

Areas We Treat for Thoracic, Shoulder Blade & Scapula Pain

Our physiotherapists assess and treat a wide range of upper back and shoulder blade conditions, including:

• Thoracic Facet Joint Stiffness & Pain

Symptoms often felt between the shoulder blades, especially after sitting or bending.

• Rib Joint Dysfunction (Costo-vertebral & Costo-transverse)

Pain that worsens with deep breaths, twisting or lying on the affected side.

• Scapulothoracic Dyskinesis

Poor shoulder blade movement causing clicking, catching, or muscular fatigue.

• Muscular Upper Back & Scapular Pain

Including rhomboid strain, trapezius tightness, levator scapulae overload and paraspinal muscle spasm.

• Postural Overload & Rounded Shoulder Posture

Workstation and lifestyle stresses leading to pain around the shoulder blades.

• Nerve-Related Thoracic Pain

Irritation of thoracic nerves causing burning, radiating or sharp pain around ribs or shoulder blade.

• Shoulder Blade Pain Related to Shoulder Injury

Including rotator cuff weakness, shoulder impingement and overhead load.

• Chronic Upper Back Fatigue & Tension

Often associated with poor ergonomics, stress and sedentary work.

Your Personalised Treatment Plan

Each treatment session is tailored to your presentation and may include:

  • Hands-on treatment

  • Mobility restoration

  • Strengthening and conditioning

  • Scapular control retraining

  • Posture and ergonomic solutions

  • Home exercise programs

  • Education to prevent recurrence

Our goal is to restore comfort, movement and confidence so you can return to normal activity without ongoing discomfort.

Book an Appointment

If thoracic or shoulder blade pain is affecting your daily life, our physiotherapists can help diagnose and treat the root cause quickly and effectively.

Contact us today to book your assessment.

Martin Spitzeck
Previous

Scoliosis