Marcy N.

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Mid-Back Pain

  1. SYMPTOM

    Mid-Back Pain

  2. SITUATION

    Marcy, a 62-year-old interior designer in the Upper East Side, came to KIRO with persistent mid-back pain. She explained her profession required long hours spent sitting over drafting tables and computer screens while reviewing blueprints, as well as frequent trips to client sites standing on hard floors. Marcy described the pain as a deep, aching tightness across her mid-back, worse on the right, that made it difficult to stand straight, focus on her designs, or enjoy her usual evening routines with her husband and her grandkids. 

    She tried acupuncture at the recommendation of a friend, and found some relief, but it never seemed to address the underlying discomfort. Hoping to reduce pain and prevent the mid-back stiffness from interfering with both her work and daily life, Marcy began chiropractic care at KIRO.

  3. TREATMENT

    Our doctors began treatment with a thorough examination of the spine and surrounding muscles. The evaluation revealed tight paraspinal and shoulder muscles, mobility restrictions in flexion and extension through the midback, and a forward head posture consistent with long hours of desk and on-site work. Testing indicated that her mid-back muscles were overcompensating for prolonged poor posture, while an initial nervous system scan showed elevated tension throughout the right side of the mid-thoracic region. 

    Based on these findings, our doctors advised a 3 month care plan for Marcy focused on increasing mid-thoracic mobility, reducing muscular tension, balancing muscle firing between the left and right side of her spine, and improving postural endurance. Care began with twice-weekly full-spine chiropractic adjustments emphasizing the mid-back, combined with soft tissue therapy as needed to release chronically tight muscles.

    At the five-week mark, the doctors reassessed progress by repeating the nervous system scan and re-evaluating range of motion and posture. The scan still showed tension, but it was much more symmetrical from side to side, and Marcy reported improved comfort while sitting at her desk and moving between client sites. With these improvements confirmed, the doctors transitioned her care from twice-weekly visits to once per week, shifting the focus toward strength, stabilization, and long-term postural correction.

    Over the following two months, our doctors implemented a set of exercises and stretches focusing on shoulder blade mobility, mid-back extension, and chest opening to support long-term spinal alignment and strong, healthy posture. This combination reinforced movement patterns and ensured her muscles no longer overreacted to the demands of her workday.

    By the end of the three-month care plan, our doctors confirmed full resolution of mid-back discomfort. A final nervous system scan demonstrated tension levels had returned to normal throughout the thoracic spine.

  4. RESULT

    During her three month care plan with KIRO, Marcy experienced major improvements in mid-back mobility, posture, and day-to-day comfort. She was able to complete full workdays without stiffness, stand and move comfortably between client sites, and return home without lingering discomfort. Marcy now maintains her results with occasional adjustments, an at-home mobility routine, and periodic muscle work to keep her loose. She remarks she’s able to interact with her grandchildren in ways she hasn’t been able to in years.

  5. DURATION

    3 months

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