This type of upper back pain is most amenable to manual treatments, such as:
Exercise/Active and passive physical therapy
Chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation
Massage therapy
Acupuncture
Because the upper back pain is related to large muscles in the shoulder area, most rehabilitation programs will include a great deal of stretching and strengthening exercises.
A conservative care (nonsurgical) specialist such as an osteopathic physician, a physiatrist/physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, or a chiropractor would be appropriate to see for treatment of upper back pain.
If there is a specific area that is very tender, the source of the upper back pain may be an active trigger point. Trigger points are usually located in a skeletal muscle and can be worked on by either one or a combination of the following treatments:
Massage therapy
Acupuncture
Pain medications can also be helpful. Muscular irritation usually includes some form of inflammation, so anti-inflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen or COX-2 inhibitors) can be helpful to reduce the inflammation.
