Physio for upper back pain
See a GP first about pain at the top of your back, between your shoulders: the NHS lists it as a reason to get checked rather than treat it at home. Once you have been checked, a physio can help with exercise and hands-on treatment, which the NHS lists among the treatments for back pain.
Back pain often gets better on its own and usually improves within a few weeks. Stay as active as you can while you wait, and check the other warning signs on this page.
- When to get it looked at
- The NHS suggests seeing a GP for pain at the top of your back, between the shoulders.
- How long it tends to take
- The NHS says back pain usually improves within a few weeks, but can sometimes last longer or keep coming back.
- Getting a physio
- In many areas you can refer yourself to NHS physiotherapy without seeing a GP, or you can pay privately.
Does this sound familiar?
- An ache between your shoulder blades after a long day at a desk.
- Stiffness across the top of your back when you twist or turn.
- It started after lifting, carrying or reaching awkwardly.
- It comes with a stiff neck or sore shoulders.
These are common ways people describe upper back pain. They are not a diagnosis. If you recognise them, check where it hurts to see a suggested next step.
Common causes of upper back pain
The NHS says back pain can have many causes, and it is not always obvious what they are. Upper back pain has no separate NHS page, so these come from its back pain page.
| What people notice | What the NHS lists as a possible cause |
|---|---|
| Came on after lifting or a sudden movement | An injury such as a pulled muscle (strain), a common cause of back pain |
| No clear reason | Often none that can be found: back pain often gets better on its own |
| Less often | Sometimes a medical condition such as ankylosing spondylitis |
| Less often | Very rarely, a serious problem such as a broken bone, cancer or an infection |
When to get help first
If you have upper back pain and any of these, do not wait to see a physio. This is the same list our check asks, taken from the NHS pages below. If you are not sure, call 111.
Call 999 or go to A&E
If you have upper back pain and:
- Sudden pain, pressure or tightness in your chest that does not go awayIncluding chest pain that spreads to your arm, neck, jaw or back, or comes with sweating, feeling sick, light-headed or short of breath.
- The back pain started after a serious accident, such as a car crash
Get help from NHS 111, or ask for an urgent GP appointment
If you have upper back pain and:
- You feel hot, cold or shivery, or generally unwell, as well as the pain
- Severe back pain that started suddenly, or is getting worse quickly
See a GP
If you have upper back pain and:
- You have lost weight without trying to
- A lump or swelling in your back, or your back has changed shape
- Back pain that does not ease when you rest, or is worse at night
- Back pain that is worse when you sneeze, cough or poo
- Pain at the top of the back, between the shoulders
What you can do now
If none of the warning signs apply, the NHS suggests:
- Stay active and keep up your daily activities as far as you can.
- Use a heat pack or hot water bottle wrapped in a tea towel for stiffness or muscle spasm.
- Try exercises and stretches for back pain, and stop if the pain gets worse.
- Do not stay in bed for long periods.
The NHS suggests seeing a GP for pain at the top of your back, between the shoulders.
What a physio usually does
Treatment can include exercise and physiotherapy, and manual therapy, where a trained therapist massages and moves the muscles and joints in your back.
- At a first appointment, a physio asks about your symptoms, your health and your daily life, and may check how you move, your strength and your balance.
- Treatment may include exercises to improve movement and build strength, and manual therapy, where the physio uses their hands to massage and move the area.
- You usually get advice on managing your symptoms and exercises to do at home between sessions.
In many areas of England you can refer yourself to NHS physiotherapy through community musculoskeletal (MSK) services, without seeing a GP first. Waiting times can be long. You can also pay to see a physio privately. The NHS says to check they are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
How long upper back pain tends to take
The NHS says back pain usually improves within a few weeks, but can sometimes last longer or keep coming back. Everyone is different, and a physio or GP can tell you more once they have assessed you.
Questions people ask about upper back pain
Should I see a GP or a physio for upper back pain?
See a GP first. The NHS lists back pain that comes from the top of your back, between your shoulders, as a reason to see a GP rather than treat it at home. Once you have been checked, a physio can help. If you have any of the urgent warning signs on this page, follow that advice instead.
Can a physio help with pain between the shoulder blades?
Once a GP has checked it, a physio can assess how your back moves and help. The NHS lists physiotherapy, group exercise and manual therapy, where a trained therapist massages and moves the muscles and joints in your back, among the treatments for back pain that is not getting better after a few weeks.
Should I keep active with upper back pain?
Yes, as far as you can. The NHS says to stay active and carry on with your daily activities, and not to stay in bed for long periods. A heat pack or hot water bottle wrapped in a tea towel can ease stiffness and muscle spasms. Try exercises and stretches for back pain, and stop if the pain gets worse.
Is upper back pain serious?
Back pain often gets better on its own, and only very rarely is it a sign of a serious problem, the NHS says. Pain at the top of your back, between your shoulders, is still one the NHS asks you to get checked by a GP, and this page lists the signs that need help sooner.
Sources
- NHS: Back pain page reviewed
- NHS: Shoulder pain page reviewed
- NHS: Elbow and arm pain page reviewed
- NHS: Hip pain in adults page reviewed
- NHS: Chest pain page reviewed
- NHS: Septic arthritis page reviewed
- NHS: Unintentional weight loss page reviewed
- NHS: Physiotherapy page reviewed
- NHS: Get NHS help for back or joint problems page reviewed
This is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. A physio or GP can assess your own situation.