Mid Back Pain and Stiffness Relief in Mineola, NY

MULLIGAN CONCEPT

Mid Back Pain

Mid back pain sits in the thoracic spine, the part of your back attached to the ribs. It often feels stiff when you twist, reach or take a deep breath. At Enhanced Physical Therapy in Mineola, we use Mulligan thoracic SNAGs and gentle thoracic traction to restore comfortable twisting and bending, then build strength and better movement habits.

Certified Mulligan Practitioner Over 10 Years of Experience

Our clinics director is a Certified Mulligan Practitioner (CMP) with over a decade
of experience using this evidence-based approach. Each treatment is customized to
your specific diagnosis and movement limitations to achieve optimal outcomes.

Common signs of mid back pain

Stiffness when twisting to look behind you
Pain in the middle of the back
Discomfort with a deep breath
Aching after long periods of sitting
A rounded or hunched feeling through the upper back

What causes it

Long hours sitting, lifting and twisting at the same time, sports like golf and tennis, and a gradual stiffening with age are common contributors. The mid back often stiffens slowly without any clear injury.

How we examine it

We screen for causes that need a doctor, including heart, lung and bone problems. Then we test thoracic movement and whether a SNAG lets you twist further with less pain.

Mulligan techniques we use

Thoracic SNAGs. A gentle glide on a mid back vertebra while you twist or bend, usually with your arms crossed.
Thoracic traction. A gentle, sustained lift through the mid back.
Self-SNAGs with a towel. A home technique for twisting stiffness.
Rib MWMs. Gentle rib glides if the ribs are involved.

What the research says

A small randomized trial found a thoracic rotation SNAG reduced pain and improved twisting in people with mid back pain. A 2023 trial found spinal mobilization with movement improved short-term breathing measures in people with a rounded upper back. The thoracic research base is small, so we keep exercise at the center of care.

What else is in your treatment plan

Your plan includes thoracic SNAGs, rotation and extension mobility, upper back strengthening and advice for sitting and lifting.

How long recovery takes

Many people improve within 2 to 6 weeks.

When to see a doctor first

Call your doctor, or get urgent care, if you have any of the following:

Chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw: call 911
Pain after a fall or a minor bump if you have osteoporosis
Fever or unexplained weight loss
History of cancer
Constant pain that does not change with position

Mid back pain treatment near Mineola

Enhanced Physical Therapy is at 137 Willis Ave, Suite 100, Mineola, NY 11501, a short walk from NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island. We see patients from Mineola, Garden City, Williston Park, New Hyde Park, Carle Place, Westbury, Albertson and Manhasset, and across central Nassau County.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my mid back hurt when I twist?

The thoracic joints can stiffen and become sensitive, especially with long periods of sitting.

Can mid back pain affect breathing?

A stiff mid back and ribs can make deep breaths uncomfortable. Any breathlessness should be checked by a doctor.

Is mid back pain serious?

Usually not, but we screen for heart, lung and bone causes first.

Is it safe with osteoporosis?

We use lighter glides and avoid strong pressure. Tell us about any bone density results.

Written and clinically reviewed by Jacob Kurian, PT, MSPT, CMP, DPT, Certified Mulligan Practitioner, Enhanced Physical Therapy, Mineola NY. Last updated October 14, 2026.

Move Better, Feel Better

If this is limiting your work, sleep or activity, call Enhanced Physical Therapy at (516) 833-5880 to book an evaluation with Jacob Kurian, Certified Mulligan Practitioner. Mulligan treatment may help reduce pain and improve movement, and we will tell you honestly what to expect.