Upper back and neck pain often develops gradually through the repeated stresses of everyday life. Long hours at a computer, driving, looking down at a phone, physical work demands, lifting, or repetitive reaching can all strain the muscles and joints of the upper spine.
The upper spine, also called the thoracic spine, works closely with the neck and shoulders to support posture and movement throughout the day. When mobility becomes restricted or certain muscles become overworked, it can lead to stiffness, tension, headaches, shoulder blade pain, or discomfort that spreads into the neck and arms.
Some common orthopedic causes of upper spine and neck pain include:
• Muscle tension and strain in the neck and upper back
• Joint stiffness and reduced spinal mobility
• Postural stress from prolonged sitting or screen time
• Weakness in the upper back and shoulder stabilizing muscles
• Degenerative changes in the cervical or thoracic spine
• Repetitive overhead activity or lifting demands
Upper spine dysfunction can affect more than just your back. Many people experience tightness between the shoulder blades, tension headaches, limited neck rotation, or shoulder discomfort that seems to worsen throughout the day. Others notice pain when working at a desk, driving long distances, sleeping, or performing overhead activities.
At Teton Therapy, our physical therapists evaluate how the neck, upper back, and shoulders are functioning together to identify the movement restrictions and muscular imbalances contributing to your symptoms. Your treatment plan may include:
• Hands-on manual therapy to improve spinal and soft tissue mobility
• Targeted exercises to strengthen postural and shoulder support muscles
• Mobility work for the neck, thoracic spine, and shoulders
• Postural retraining and ergonomic education
• Stretching techniques to reduce muscle tension and stiffness
• Pain-relieving modalities to support recovery and improve comfort
Our goal is to help you move more comfortably, improve posture and mobility, and reduce the strain placed on your upper spine during daily activities.
If neck or upper back pain is interfering with your work, sleep, exercise, or everyday routine, the team at Teton Therapy is here to help.
Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and start feeling better with personalized orthopedic care.
Cheyenne, 307-441-3548
Lander, 307-387-6230
Riverton, 307-248-7442
Your Success Is Our Priority!
Ready to keep moving forward? Return to Teton Therapy and schedule your appointment now!
Patient Testimonial
“When I came to Teton, I was in constant pain. My elbow limited me to where I couldn’t use my arm, not even for lifting a glass of water. The OT Team was awesome at helping reduce pain and used multiple techniques to troubleshoot and support my healing journey. Teton was flexible with appointments and prioritized my needs. Jacqui always made me feel heard and comfortable at every visit. After a long recovery, I’m happy to report I’m pain-free and back to enjoying all the things I did before I was injured. Thanks, Teton!”
-AM
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Now offering Spanish-speaking services in Cheyenne
At Teton Therapy, we believe that clear communication is essential to great care. That’s why we’re proud to offer Spanish-speaking services at our Cheyenne location, helping more members of our community feel comfortable, confident, and understood throughout their therapy journey.
Whether you’re coming in for physical therapy, occupational therapy, or specialized care, our bilingual team is here to guide you every step of the way. From your first evaluation to your final visit, you can expect personalized, evidence-based treatment delivered in a language you feel most comfortable with.
We know that asking questions, understanding your diagnosis, and following your treatment plan are key to achieving the best results. By offering care in Spanish, we’re breaking down barriers so you can focus on what matters most: healing, movement, and getting back to the life you love.
If you or a loved one prefers to receive care in Spanish, we invite you to connect with our Cheyenne team today.
Ahora hablamos español: Atención en tu idioma
En Teton Therapy, creemos que una buena comunicación es clave para recibir una atención de calidad. Por eso, nos enorgullece ofrecer servicios en español en nuestra clínica de Cheyenne, ayudando a más miembros de nuestra comunidad a sentirse cómodos, seguros y comprendidos durante todo su proceso de rehabilitación.
Ya sea que necesite fisioterapia, terapia ocupacional o atención especializada, nuestro equipo bilingüe está aquí para acompañarle en cada paso. Desde su primera evaluación hasta su última visita, puede esperar un tratamiento personalizado y basado en evidencia, brindado en el idioma con el que se sienta más cómodo.
Sabemos que hacer preguntas, entender su diagnóstico y seguir su plan de tratamiento son fundamentales para lograr los mejores resultados. Al ofrecer atención en español, eliminamos barreras para que usted pueda enfocarse en lo más importante: recuperarse, moverse mejor y volver a la vida que disfruta.
Si usted o un ser querido prefieren recibir atención en español, le invitamos a comunicarse hoy mismo con nuestro equipo en Cheyenne.
Exercise of the Month
SHOULDER SHRUGS
Stand tall with your arms at your sides, holding a dumbbell in each hand (optional). Slowly lift your shoulders up toward your ears in a shrugging motion. Hold briefly at the top, then lower your shoulders back down with control.
3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: optional dumbbells)
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How Stress and Posture Impact Shoulder Pain
Written By: Jacqui Vooge, MOT, OTR-L, CHT, Occupational Therapist / Clinic Director, Teton Therapy Cheyenne
Stress can cause a lot of different ailments in the body; however, it is often overlooked as a cause of shoulder pain. Combining prolonged uncontrolled stress and poor posture increases the risk of having shoulder pain, adding to the vicious cycle of pain and stress.
Poor Posture
Poor posture is associated with muscle imbalances where some muscles are tight and shortened, and others are weakened and lengthened. A posture with a forward head and rounded shoulders creates weakened back muscles such as the lower trapezius and rhomboids and tight chest muscles such as the pectoralis and upper trap. These muscle imbalances then cause problems with joint alignment, ultimately leading to rotator cuff injuries, shoulder impingement and many other shoulder injuries.
Stress
It is well known that psychological stress can cause physical symptoms including muscle tension related to upper back, neck and shoulder pain. Many people unconsciously elevate their shoulders when under stress and, over time, there is a chronic muscle imbalance between the muscles of the shoulders, upper back and neck. These can all contribute to shoulder pain. Stress has also been known to collectively contribute to a decline in overall health and wellness, including psychological and emotional well being.
Chronic stress also increases cortisol levels in the nervous system which then impacts how strongly people perceive pain. This creates a vicious cycle between stress and pain: Stress causes shoulder tension which creates rounded posture then creates more strain and more pain which then causes more stress.
Unless this cycle is broken with stress and postural management, it will continue as a feedback loop causing more strain and more stress.
What to do
Although prevention is the best course of action for shoulder pain, many people do not realize this is even happening until the pain has started. It is important to seek medical evaluation if you experience weakness, numbness/tingling, severe pain at night, and/or pain that has lasted longer than a few weeks.
Physical and Occupational Therapists can help by educating in effective healthy lifestyle modifications to help with stress management and prescribe a plan of care to help correct muscle imbalances and posture.
The therapists at Teton Therapy are experts in stress injuries and can help you break the cycle of chronic stress and injury.
Call, text or click to schedule your free consultation today!
In Cheyenne, 307-441-3548
In Lander, 307-387-6230
In Riverton, 307-248-7442
Make the Most of Your Summer Vacation with Physical Therapy
Whether you’re heading to the beach or hitting up an amusement park, the last thing you want to deal with during your vacation is pain and limited mobility. As you make your summer vacation plans, consider adding one more thing to your checklist: a physical therapy session at Teton Therapy.
Our therapists will help ensure your body is ready for whatever adventures you have planned. We’ll…
- Identify any underlying issues that might contribute to pain or restricted movement.
- Develop a customized treatment plan to resolve those issues so you can have a pain-free trip.
- Provide tips and strategies to ensure you don’t suffer pain or impairment while you’re away.
A vacation is a chance to relax and try new things, not suffer through joint pain. We’ll help resolve those issues early so you can focus on what matters: having the time of your life.
Enjoy a fresh, flavorful bite with these Smoked Salmon, Avocado, and Cucumber Bites—perfectly light yet satisfying for any occasion. With a delicious balance of creamy, crisp, and savory flavors, they’re an easy way to elevate your snacking or entertaining.
Teton Therapy’s Monthly Healthy Recipe
Smoked Salmon, Avocado and Cucumber Bites
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1 large avocado, peeled and pit removed
- 1/2 tbsp lime juice
- 6 oz smoked salmon
- chives, for garnish
- black pepper, for garnish
Slice the cucumber approximately 1/4-inch thick and lay flat on a serving plate. Add the avocado and lime juice to a bowl and use a fork to mash until creamy. Assemble the bites by spreading a small amount of avocado on each cucumber, then topping with a thin slice of smoked salmon. Garnish each bite with finely chopped chives and cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.
SPOTLIGHT
Andrew Bosselman
Physical Therapist • Outdoor Enthusiast
Andrew Bosselman graduated from Brigham Young University and earned his graduate degree from the University of Montana in Missoula. He currently serves as a Physical Therapist and Clinic Director at Teton Therapy’s Riverton clinic.
I’m compassionate in trying to understand who my patients are. There’s the scientific and medical portion [of treatment], then there’s compassion. I really try to focus on getting to know who the patient is and why they’re here in therapy.”
Patient Philosophy
Andrew blends evidence-based treatment with compassion, taking time to understand each patient personally.
Outside The Clinic
Fishing, mountain biking, and rock climbing are just a few reasons Andrew loves living in the Lander-Riverton area.
June Word Scramble
brerireastws
aaointcv
unesecnsr
emrmus
dnelomea
iaordungta
Answer Key
strawberries
vacation
sunscreen
summer
lemonade
graduation
