Mid Back Pain Relief in Dubai
Does a nagging ache in the middle of your back greet you every morning, or a sharp twinge catch your breath when you twist to reach something? Mid back pain can turn the simple act of sitting at your desk or driving through Downtown Dubai’s traffic into an ordeal.
Book a Consultation
Mid Back Pain Relief in Dubai – Osteopathic Treatment at Thomas Wynn-Jones Osteopath
It’s more than just an inconvenience, it’s draining, frustrating, and sometimes even isolating when others don’t understand the constant discomfort you feel. Thomas Wynn-Jones, the Osteopath, truly gets it. We know the toll that upper and mid back stiffness and spinal tension can take on your everyday life, and we’re here to help you find lasting relief.
Thomas Wynn-Jones, a UK-trained osteopath with two decades of experience – at our clinic in Dubai, has helped countless people overcome mid back pain and reclaim their quality of life with compassionate, expert care.
Thomas Wynn-Jones
BSc, BOst, Registered Osteopath UK & UAE
About Thomas
Meet Your Expert Osteopath in Dubai
Thomas Wynn-Jones is a seasoned osteopath in his 20th year of practice, he was trained at the British School of Osteopathy (now the University College of Osteopathy) and registered with the General Osteopathic Council in the UK plus the DHA in Dubai. He specializes in providing holistic healthcare solutions for patients of all ages, including sports injury management. His diverse expertise covers various osteopathic approaches, such as cranial, structural, and visceral osteopathy. Thomas’s dedication extends to treating a range of conditions, from low back and neck pain to pregnancy-related discomfort, babies, animals and headaches.
What Is Mid Back Pain (Thoracic Spine)
The mid back, also known as the thoracic spine, spans the region between your neck and the base of your rib cage. This part of your spine consists of 12 vertebrae that attach to your ribs, forming the sturdy midpoint of your back.
When these spinal joints become locked up or the surrounding muscles and ligaments are strained and go into spasm, it can lead to pain, anything from a nagging dull ache to a sharp catch that stops you in your tracks.
Many people feel mid back pain as tightness between the shoulder blades or stiffness when they try to sit up straight. If a rib joint is involved, you might even experience pain wrapping around the side of your chest or discomfort when taking a deep breath. In short, mid back pain makes it hard to move freely and can really sap your energy and focus.
Common Causes of Mid Back Pain
Mid back pain doesn’t appear out of nowhere. Usually, there’s an underlying reason (or a combination of them) causing that ache or stiffness. Middle back pain can have several causes, including muscle strains, poor posture, scoliosis, and more. Here are some of the most common causes of mid back pain we see, especially in a fast-paced city like Dubai:
Poor posture and prolonged sitting
Slouching over a computer or hunching while using your phone is a leading cause of thoracic spine pain. Hours of sitting at a desk (or in Dubai’s notorious traffic) with rounded shoulders put extra strain on the mid-back, leading to muscle fatigue and upper back stiffness over time.
Muscle tension and strain
Tight, overworked muscles can develop painful knots in your mid-back. Stress, carrying heavy bags, or even long drives can strain the muscles and ligaments in this area, resulting in aching pain and reduced flexibility. A lack of exercise (common with sedentary jobs) also weakens these muscles and contributes to mid-back pain.
Thoracic joint stiffness
The joints between the vertebrae in your mid-back can become stiff due to inactivity, ageing, or past injuries. When these facet joints lose mobility, you may feel constant tightness or a dull ache, and notice it’s harder to rotate or arch your back. Such joint stiffness often plagues those who go from long hours at the office to long commutes, with little movement in between.
Rib misalignment or dysfunction
Sometimes the connection between a rib and the spine (the costovertebral joint) can become slightly misaligned or inflamed. This often causes sharp mid-back pain that can shoot around to the front of your chest. It tends to hurt more when you take a deep breath, cough, or lie on the affected side, as the rib isn’t moving smoothly.
Spinal curvature issues (scoliosis/kyphosis)
An abnormal curvature in the spine can place uneven stress on the mid-back. For example, scoliosis (a sideways spinal curve) or excessive kyphosis (an overly rounded upper back) often leads to chronic mid back pain and muscle fatigue. The uneven pressure on muscles and joints in the thoracic region can make maintaining good posture difficult and painful.
Dubai’s lifestyle can sometimes amplify these issues. Imagine a professional in DIFC working 10-hour days at a computer, or a parent in Jumeirah shuttling kids to school and activities with little time to stretch, it’s no surprise that posture strain and thoracic tension are so common here. Long commutes between places like Satwa and Business Bay, and the habit of driving everywhere, mean less movement and more stiffness.
We’ve seen these patterns in patients from Al Wasl, Al Safa, Downtown and beyond. Modern life in Dubai often creates a “perfect storm” for mid back pain. The encouraging news is that no matter the cause, mid back pain is treatable. The first step is understanding why it’s happening; the next step is addressing it with the right approach.
Our Osteopathic Approach to Mid Back Pain Relief
Thomas Wynn-Jones, the Osteopath, isn’t just aiming to temporarily ease your symptoms, but to fix the underlying issues causing your mid back pain. When you visit our clinic, Thomas will start with a thorough assessment. He takes the time to listen to your history and understand your daily routine, because clues like long hours at a desk or a past injury can point to the root of the problem.
He’ll examine your posture, ask you to move and bend in specific ways, and gently feel along your spine and ribs to pinpoint areas of tension or restriction. By taking this holistic view, he can identify whether your mid back pain is purely localized or if it’s linked to other factors (for instance, a neck strain, a weak core, or even stress-related muscle tension).
Hands-on osteopathic treatment
Once the assessment is done, Thomas will tailor a treatment plan specifically for you, because one treatment does not fit all. Osteopathic treatment for mid back pain typically involves a combination of gentle manual techniques to restore movement and relieve pain. Here’s what you can expect from the process:
Spinal mobilisations and adjustments
Using skilled, gentle pressure, Thomas will mobilise the stiff joints in your thoracic spine to improve flexibility. If appropriate, he may perform a specific spinal adjustment (a quick, precise release often accompanied by a relieving “click”) to correct any misalignments and help your spine move properly again. These techniques are aimed at unlocking tight spots and aligning your mid-back for optimal function.
Soft tissue therapy
To address the muscular side of mid back pain, Thomas will work on the surrounding muscles and connective tissues. This can include deep tissue inhibition, myofascial release, and stretching techniques to ease muscle tension and break up those stubborn knots or trigger points. By releasing tight upper back muscles and fascia, we reduce pressure on the spine and improve blood flow to the area, which we believe accelerates healing, as per osteopathic healing philosophy
Rib and thoracic release techniques
If a rib dysfunction is part of your problem, Thomas can gently mobilise the rib and the attached vertebra. By easing the joint back into proper motion and relaxing the tiny muscles around it, that sharp pain with breathing can diminish significantly. You’ll be able to take a deep breath without wincing again.
Additional modalities
Thomas’s approach blends traditional osteopathy with evidence-based modern therapies. Depending on your needs, he might incorporate therapeutic ultrasound or a percussion tool to reduce deep muscle inflammation and trigger-point sensitivity. He is also trained in dry needling, a technique that uses acupuncture-like needles to release muscle spasms and tension knots very effectively. All treatments are chosen to maximize your relief and recovery in the safest way.
Throughout your session, Thomas will ensure you’re comfortable and will explain what he’s doing in simple terms, no confusing jargon. This way, you’re not only receiving treatment but also understanding your own body better. Thomas’s hands-on approach always includes patient education, because knowing what’s wrong and how to prevent it is key to a speedier recovery.
Posture education and prevention
One thing that sets our clinic apart is the emphasis on helping you help yourself. After alleviating as much of your mid back pain as possible during the treatment, Thomas will guide you on how to keep it from coming back. He’ll give you practical advice tailored to your lifestyle – for example, how to set up your workstation ergonomically, safe ways to lift or carry things, and possibly simple stretches you can do at home or even at your desk.
If you’re an office worker, he might demonstrate a quick exercise to counteract that rounded shoulder posture common in desk jobs. By empowering you with these tools and knowledge, we aim to break the cycle of pain. Our ultimate goal is not just to provide relief for a day, but to set you on a path of long-term mid back health.
Experience and expertise you can trust
Thomas Wynn-Jones brings a wealth of expertise to every treatment. He is registered with the General Osteopathic Council (UK) and the Dubai Health Authority, and has 20 years of clinical experience in osteopathy. Having trained in London and treated patients across the UK, Singapore, and the UAE, Thomas has a deep understanding of how to effectively manage mid back pain in people from all walks of life.
You are literally in the hands of a seasoned professional who has successfully performed tens of thousands of treatments. This strong foundation of experience (combined with continuous post-graduate training) means that whether your mid back pain is due to a simple strain or a more complex issue, Thomas will know how to tackle it with confidence and care.
You don’t have to live with mid back pain. Osteopathic treatment offers a gentle yet powerful way to resolve the underlying causes of your pain, so you can get back to living life fully. Many of our patients report feeling looser, taller, and more at ease after just a few sessions – finally able to sleep comfortably and go about their day without that constant nagging in their mid-back.
Ready to feel the difference? Don’t wait for the pain to “just go away.”
Book a consultation with Thomas Wynn-Jones Osteopath and take the first step toward genuine relief. Our clinic is conveniently located at 343 Al Wasl Rd in Al Bada’a, within a short drive of Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, Satwa, DIFC, Al Wasl, Al Safa, and Business Bay. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and let a trusted local expert help you stand tall and move freely again.
Practicing At
Browns & Co
343 Al Wasl Rd – Al Bada’a – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 273 1555
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is mid back pain?
Mid back pain refers to pain in the middle segment of your back, the thoracic spine – which is the area between your neck and lower back. It typically involves discomfort or stiffness around the shoulder blade region. You might feel a dull muscular ache or, in some cases, a sharp or burning pain if nerves or joints are irritated.
Can osteopathy help with mid back pain?
Yes, osteopathy can be very effective for mid back pain. Osteopaths use hands-on techniques to relieve muscle tension, mobilise stiff spinal joints, and improve alignment, which in turn reduces pain and restores mobility. By treating the root causes of the pain (such as joint restrictions or muscular knots), osteopathic treatment provides natural relief. Many patients feel significant improvement in their mid back pain after a course of tailored osteopathic sessions.
How is mid back pain different from lower back pain?
Mid back pain is centred in the upper- and middle-back (thoracic spine), whereas lower back pain affects the lumbar spine. The thoracic spine attaches to your rib cage, so mid back pain is often related to posture issues, rib joint dysfunction, or tension between the shoulder blades. Lower back pain, on the other hand, is usually due to problems in the lumbar vertebrae or discs, and may cause symptoms like sciatica (leg pain). In short, turning or breathing might aggravate mid back pain (because of the rib involvement), while lower back pain is more likely to hurt with bending or lifting.
What are common causes of mid back pain?
- Poor posture (slouching at a desk or computer for long periods)
- Muscle strain or tension (from heavy lifting, sports, or sustained stress)
- Thoracic joint dysfunction (stiffness or slight misalignment in the spine’s facet joints)
- Rib dysfunction (misalignment or inflammation where a rib connects to the spine)
- Spinal curvature conditions like scoliosis or excessive kyphosis (which put uneven pressure on the mid-back)
How can I prevent mid back pain?
To prevent mid back pain, it’s important to maintain a healthy posture and an active lifestyle. Be mindful of your sitting posture, keep your shoulders back and avoid hunching, especially during long hours of desk work. Take regular breaks to stand up, stretch, or walk around if you have a sedentary job or long drive. Strengthening the muscles of your back and core (through exercises, yoga, or swimming) will give your spine better support, making mid back injuries less likely. Setting up an ergonomic workspace (adjusting your chair, computer screen, and keyboard to reduce strain) can greatly help as well. And of course, if you notice persistent mid back tightness, addressing it early with stretches, massages, or a visit to an osteopath can stop a small issue from becoming a big problem.
Request an Online Consultation
A solution to request a specialist consultation, directly from your home, with your smartphone or PC .
REGISTERED WITH
