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🧍‍♀️ Upper Back Pain Relief Massage in San Clemente: The Soft Tissue Therapy Approach to Restoring Posture & Mobility

  • Tiffany Sandoval
  • Feb 20
  • 5 min read

Updated: Nov 19

“Client receiving upper back soft tissue therapy in San Clemente. Therapist performing myofascial release and neuromuscular techniques for upper back pain relief
Upper Back Pain Relief in OC Book Your Appt .

🧾 Table of Contents



The Hidden Cause of Upper Back Pain

Upper back pain is rarely just a “muscle knot.” It’s a compensation pattern created by posture imbalance, restricted fascia, shoulder dysfunction, and nervous-system tension.


Athletes, professionals, and post-surgical clients often experience upper back pain because the area becomes overworked while other stabilizers (core, deep neck flexors, lower traps, rotator cuff) under-perform.


Over time, this leads to stiffness, burning pain between the shoulder blades, difficulty taking deep breaths, and neck/shoulder tension that never seems to go away.


Soft tissue therapy identifies the true source of the imbalance — not just the symptom.

“Client receiving upper back soft tissue therapy in San Clemente. Therapist performing myofascial release and neuromuscular techniques for upper back pain relief
Upper Back Pain Relief Massage in OC and Lake Elsinore

Pain Pattern #12 : Between-the-Shoulder-Blade Pain

  • How it feels:A sharp, achy, or burning pain along the medial border of the scapula, often worse with sitting, phone use, computer work, or driving.

  • Key muscles involved:

    • Rhomboids

    • Mid & Lower Trapezius

    • Multifidi

    • Serratus Posterior Superior

  • Root cause:Forward-head posture, rounded shoulders, shallow breathing, or repetitive pulling/pressing movements overload these stabilizers.

  • Techniques used:RAPID NFR • Myofascial Release • Neuromuscular Therapy • Fascial Stretch Therapy • Cupping • Breath & rib-cage decompression

  • Emotional note:Upper back tension often correlates with “carrying too much” — responsibilities, emotional load, or mental strain.

  • Self-care tip:Take 6 slow nasal breaths while expanding the ribs sideways. This “resets” thoracic mobility and reduces tension instantly.

Pain Pattern #11 : Neck & Shoulder Tension

  • How it feels:Stiff neck, tension headaches, shoulder pressure, difficulty turning your head, or that “tight band” across the upper back.

  • Key muscles involved:

    • Upper Trapezius

    • Levator Scapulae

    • Scalenes

    • Splenius Cervicis

    • Supraspinatus

  • Root cause:Computers, driving, overhead lifting, or poor breathing mechanics shift load upward into the neck and upper traps.

  • Techniques used:Trigger Point Therapy • Myoskeletal Alignment • FST Neck/Shoulder Decompression • RAPID NFR • Manual Lymphatic Drainage

  • Emotional note:Neck tension is commonly associated with overwhelm, decision fatigue, and bracing against stress.

  • Self-care tip:Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly. Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds → exhale for 6. Repeat 5 cycles.

Chest Pain Patterns relief in san clemente

Pain Pattern #14 & #19: Radiating Arm or Chest Discomfort

  • How it feels:Pain traveling down the arm, front-of-shoulder tightness, chest pressure, tingling, or difficulty taking a deep breath.

  • Key muscles involved:

    • Pec Minor

    • Anterior Deltoid

    • Biceps & Triceps

    • Scalenes

    • Subclavius

  • Root cause:Thoracic outlet compression, shoulder rounding, rib mobility loss, or post-surgical scar tightening.

  • Techniques used:Myofascial Release • Nerve-glide decompression • RAPID NFR • Cupping to pecs/biceps • Diaphragm release

  • Emotional note:Chest tightness can relate to stress layering or “protective posture.”

  • Self-care tip:Lie on a foam roller lengthwise and allow arms to open into a T-position for 1–2 minutes to restore chest expansion.

OC Massage #PainRelief #ChestPain #SportsMassage #AthleteRecovery #SoftTissueTherapy #MobilityMatters #MyofascialRelease #EliteRecovery #MassageTherapy #BreathingBetter
Therapeutic techniques targeting Chest, Shoulder , Arm& Upper Back muscles

Our Signature Approach: How We Stop the Pain Cycle

Your Body Tells a Story — Let’s Listen.

Upper back pain is not random — it’s shaped by posture, movement habits, training load, breathing patterns, and past injuries.

We treat the entire system in one integrated session.


🌟 Signature 8-Step Upper Back Recovery Approach

  • 1️⃣ Neuromuscular & Trigger Point Therapy → Clears knots and restores balanced muscle activation

  • 2️⃣ Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) → Opens restricted thoracic and rib movement

  • 3️⃣ RAPID NeuroFascial Reset → Resets pain at the nervous-system level

  • 4️⃣ Myoskeletal Alignment → Corrects posture, scapular mechanics, and spinal positioning

  • 5️⃣ Myofascial Release & Integration → Restores glide along traps, rhomboids, and interscapular fascia

  • 6️⃣ Manual Lymphatic Drainage → Reduces inflammation in the neck, shoulder, and upper back

  • 7️⃣ Targeted Cupping & Breathwork → Decompresses tissue and restores rib expansion

  • 8️⃣ Core Release & Diaphragm Decompression → Improves breathing and upper-back mobility


This is how we create real, long-term upper back relief.

Self Release Resources Videos

Trigger Points for Shoulder Pain | Using a Theracane | w/ Tim Sawyer PT

Massage Trigger Point Cane: https://amzn.to/4i2RWtI


Levator Scapulae Self-Administered Active Release
How to Fix Upper Back / Rhomboid Pain for GOOD (4 Effective Exercises)
The Big 6 Lymphatic Self Drainage

Healing Takes Consistency, Not Quick Fixes

Upper back pain develops over years of posture habits, stress, and muscular compensation — it cannot unwind in one session.

A treatment plan helps:

✔ Peel back layers of tension

✔ Restore posture

✔ Strengthen stabilizers

✔ Prevent pain from returning


Packages provide better outcomes than sporadic sessions.


Book Your Upper Back Pain Relief Session Today

Don’t let upper back pain limit your performance or daily life. Our specialized soft tissue therapy at Elite Recovery Sports and Medical Massage in San Juan Capistrano and Lake Elsinore provides targeted relief, faster recovery, and long-term results.


🔹 📍 Locations: San Juan Capistrano & Lake Elsinore, CA

🔹 ⏳ Availability: Appointments fill fast—book yours now!

🔹 🛑 Stop Pain, Move Better, and Perform Stronger!


📅 Schedule your session today and take control of your pain-free future.


FAQs: Upper Back Pain Relief



❓ Why does my upper back hurt even when I’m not moving?Because the postural muscles are constantly under load — especially with devices, driving, and stress.


❓ Will soft tissue therapy fix my posture?Yes — when combined with breathing and mobility corrections, posture improves significantly.


❓ How often should I come in?Most clients benefit from weekly treatment for 4–6 weeks, then maintenance every 3–5 weeks.


Lake Elsinore Massage
Tiffany Sandoval with Elite Pain Relief specializing in Medical Sports Massage Practices in OC & Lake Elsinore CA.

Tiffany Sandoval

Hi I'm Tiffany Sandoval, Elite Pain Relief & Mobility Expert with over 13 years. I specialize in soft tissue therapy for professional and youth athletes, post-surgery recovery (shoulder, hip, and knee), and mobility restoration, using neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, lymphatic drainage, and FST to optimize performance, accelerate healing, and prevent injuries.  Let's work together to unlock your body's potential, regain mobility, and pave the way for a pain-free, active lifestyle. Connect with her here or on LinkedIn.


Don’t Let Pain Control Your Life

Upper back pain does not have to be your daily normal.

At Elite Recovery Bodywork in San Clemente, we restore mobility, reduce pain, and help you move with strength and freedom.

👉 Book your recovery session todayRelieve Pain. Restore Mobility. Recover Stronger .www.TiffanySandoval.com



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