Upper Back Pain Treatment in New York City
Sports + Pain Institute of New York (SPIN) diagnoses and treats upper back pain at our Midtown Manhattan clinic. Upper back pain - also called thoracic spine pain - affects the area from the base of your neck down to the bottom of your rib cage. It can feel like a dull ache, sharp stabbing pain, burning, or muscle tightness, and may radiate into your shoulders, arms, or chest.
Dr. Febin Melepura and our board-certified team use precise diagnostics and minimally invasive procedures to identify the root cause of your upper back pain and get you back to your normal life. Same-day appointments are available.
Upper Back Pain Treatment NYC — SPIN Sports Pain Specialists
Ready to find relief from upper back pain?
Same-day appointments available at our Midtown Manhattan clinic.
Symptoms of Upper Back Pain
You can feel upper left back pain or upper right back pain. The pain may also feel like it's coming directly from your spine, in the center of your back. Pain in the upper back can feel like a:
If any of these symptoms accompany your upper back pain, it is important to see a specialist promptly - nerve compression in the thoracic spine can cause symptoms far from the site of the injury.
What Causes Upper Back Pain?
Your spine is composed of vertebral bones that are somewhat shaped like a ring. In the center, your spinal cord runs from the base of your spine up to your brain stem. Between each vertebral bone are discs, which act as shock absorbers. Each disc has a thick outer shell and a soft inner core that can bounce, stretch and move as you move. The discs keep your vertebrae from rubbing against each other.
The discs also keep your vertebrae spaced correctly because, between each bone, nerves run from the central spinal cord out to every part of your body. If these spaces collapse, the nerves are impacted and respond to pain causes include:
- An accident or sports injury causing a vertebral fracture
- A pulled muscle, sprain, or muscle spasm
- Poor posture - slouching pulls the thoracic spine out of alignment over time
- Tech neck and forward head posture - pushing the upper spine out of its natural curve
- Herniated or bulging thoracic disc - uncommon but possible, pressing on nearby nerves
- Arthritis of the thoracic facet joints (facet joint syndrome)
- Myofascial pain syndrome - trigger points in the thoracic muscles causing referred pain
- Rib joint dysfunction - where the ribs connect to the thoracic vertebrae
- Scoliosis or kyphosis - abnormal curvature of the thoracic spine
- Osteoporosis - thinning bones that increase the risk of compression fractures
- Compressed or pinched thoracic nerve - causing pain that wraps around the chest wall
How We Treat Upper Back Pain at SPIN
Treatment for upper back pain always begins with the least invasive approach and steps up only if needed. At SPIN, Dr. Melepura designs a personalized plan based on the specific cause identified during your evaluation.
For most patients, upper back pain responds well to:
If your upper back pain has not improved after two to four weeks of conservative care, worsens over time, disrupts sleep, or is accompanied by arm tingling, numbness, or weakness, it is time to see a specialist. At SPIN, same-day appointments are available.
Minimally Invasive Treatments for Upper Back Pain at Our NYC Clinic
In severe cases - confirmed with X-rays, CT scans, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - Dr. Melepura offers a range of minimally invasive procedures performed in-office at our Midtown Manhattan clinic:
Thoracic epidural steroid injection
delivers anti-inflammatory corticosteroid medication into the epidural space of the thoracic spine. Most effective for disc-related nerve compression causing radiating chest wall or rib pain. Relief typically lasts three to six months.
Thoracic facet joint injection
targets the small joints connecting the thoracic vertebrae. Used when arthritis or facet joint syndrome is the confirmed pain source. Also serves as a diagnostic tool.
Medial branch nerve block
a diagnostic injection that confirms whether the thoracic facet joints are the pain source. If successful, radiofrequency ablation may be the next step.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
uses heat energy to interrupt pain signals from the thoracic facet joint nerves. Provides relief lasting 12 months or longer and can be repeated when needed.
Trigger point injections
delivers medication directly into tight, knotted muscle bands (trigger points) in the thoracic muscles and upper back. Effective for myofascial pain syndrome.
Sympathetic nerve block
used for thoracic pain with a neuropathic or complex regional component. Delivered near the thoracic sympathetic nerve chain.
Spinal cord stimulation
considered for chronic, treatment-resistant upper back pain. A small implanted device delivers mild electrical impulses that interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain.
Ready to find relief from upper back pain?
Dr. Melepura's Midtown Manhattan clinic offers same-day appointments for evaluation and treatment.
Diagnosing Upper Back Pain in NYC
Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment. Dr. Melepura uses a combination of clinical examination and advanced imaging to pinpoint the exact source of your upper back pain before recommending any procedure.
Diagnostic tools we use or coordinate:
Physical examination
evaluating posture, range of motion, and areas of tenderness to identify the pain pattern
X-ray
identifies vertebral fractures, bone spurs, and structural alignment issues
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
the gold standard for visualizing soft tissue, discs, and nerve compression in the thoracic spine. We coordinate MRI referrals for NYC patients, including same-week appointments
CT scan
provides detailed cross-sectional imaging of the thoracic spine structure
Nerve conduction study / EMG
tests nerve and muscle function when arm or hand symptoms suggest nerve involvement
Diagnostic injections
medial branch blocks and facet injections that confirm whether a specific joint or nerve is the pain source
If you have existing imaging from another provider, bring it to your first appointment. Dr. Melepura will review it and advise whether additional studies are needed.
Why Choose SPIN for Upper Back Pain Treatment in NYC?
At SPIN, upper back pain is evaluated and treated by Dr. Febin Melepura - a board-certified interventional pain management specialist and one of New York City's most recognized pain doctors. Unlike a general practitioner or urgent care clinic, SPIN focuses exclusively on diagnosing and treating pain with precision, using advanced procedures that most primary care offices do not offer.
Why patients from across NYC choose SPIN:
Board-certified interventional pain specialist - Dr. Melepura is fellowship-trained, nationally recognized, and listed as one of America's Top Doctors
Same-day appointments - no weeks-long wait to be seen
Full diagnostic capability - on-site evaluation and imaging coordination, including MRI referrals
Non-surgical first approach - we exhaust every conservative and minimally invasive option before discussing surgery
Midtown Manhattan location - easily accessible from all five boroughs at 36 W 44th St, steps from Grand Central Terminal
Most major insurance accepted
Real Stories from our Patients
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD
Double Board-Certified Pain Specialist
Meet Dr. Febin Melepura — Your Upper Back Pain Specialist in NYC
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD is a double board-certified interventional pain management specialist and the founder of the Sports Pain Institute of New York. He completed his residency and fellowship training at New York Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers.
He holds dual board certifications from the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine, and has treated more than 7,500 patients and performed over 5,250 procedures throughout his career. He has been named a Top Pain Management Doctor in New York and one of America's Top Doctors™ by Castle Connolly.
Dr. Melepura's approach to upper back pain is rooted in precision: identify the exact source, treat it with a targeted injection, and get you back to your daily life as quickly as possible.
Ready to Book an Appointment?
Same-day appointments available. Call (212) 621-7746 or book online.
What Our Upper Back Pain Patients Say
"Able to make an appointment to see Dr. Melepura on short notice… attentive to my concerns… Jazmin was also very kind and helpful."
"Excellent hospitality, listener and explainer… highly recommend the doctor and the place."
"Dr. Melepura is the best! He worked with me to find the optimal solution to my shoulder pain while I was preparing for a fight!"
"Lovely, bright and modern… doctor and staff were kind… felt my concerns were heard."
"Helpful and friendly staff who gladly follows up with you if and when needed. Dr Melepura was very helpful and professional as well as provided me with excellent information and feedback."
"Dr Febin is fantastic! Highly recommend him and his practice the Spin clinic. The doctor is a good listener, kind, attentive and gave me great advice. "
"Dr.Melepura was very efficient and interpersonal, felt like he was understanding the problems I was having and explained the processes to take to rehabilitate. I would recommend."
"I felt listened to and truly understood by Dr. Melepura. Started PT the very next day. They were very friendly and I didn't feel rushed at all. Already recommended them to my friends who have or continue to play through pain."
Frequently Asked Questions About Upper Back Pain Treatment in NYC
A pain management specialist or orthopedic specialist is the right choice for persistent or severe upper back pain. At SPIN, Dr. Melepura is a board-certified interventional pain doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating thoracic and upper back pain with minimally invasive procedures.
Book an Upper Back Pain Appointment in Midtown Manhattan
If upper back pain is affecting your work, sleep, or daily activities, do not wait for it to resolve on its own. SPIN's board-certified pain specialists see patients from across New York City including Midtown Manhattan, the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and all five boroughs.
Same-day appointments are available. Call (212) 621-7746 or book online at sportspainmanagementnyc.com. Our clinic is located at 36 W 44th St, Suite 1416 - steps from Grand Central Terminal.