Dr. Alvin Philipose DC/ Charnelle Dean APRN
Prolotherapy Injections Specialist Near Me in Oklahoma City, OK

405.848.7246
Venturis logo
Menu
close
Back Pain

Middle Back Pain: A Oklahoma City, OK and Surrounding Areas Chiropractor’s Perspective

The mid-back is one of the most common locations for people to experience pain. Typically defined by the thoracic spine between T5 and T12, the middle back contains key areas between the shoulder blades and the thoracolumbar junction where the spine’s curvature changes direction.
The thoracic spine’s curve is known as a “kyphotic” curve, which is different from what is seen in both the neck and lower back (they have a “lordotic” curve). This difference is significant because the thoracic spine’s curve balances out the curves in the lower back and neck, which allows the spine to act like a spring with tremendous shock-absorbing capabilities. When any of these curves are lost or exaggerated, the function and mobility of the spine and how it handles force dramatically diminishes.
A unique aspect of the thoracic spine is that this is where the ribs do attach at each corresponding level. This makes the thoracic spine quite a stable structure, with the minimal amount of movement of the three key sections of the spine. This also makes the likelihood of injuries like disc bulges or herniations quite rare in the thoracic spine because the ribs keep everything much more intact and stable, especially in the posterior aspect of the spine.
People seeking medical care for middle back pain have a few different options, starting with the least invasive. They will usually be offered pain medications or muscle relaxers in hopes that eventually the pain will just go away on its own. This is also known as the “band-aid effect.” Other times, they will be sent to physical therapy to work on exercises and stretches to help the problem. If that is not helping, more invasive measures such as injections or surgery may be taken. However, other options are less invasive and arguably just as, if not more effective. Chiropractic, for example, is one of the best ways to address middle back pain. Many of the root causes of middle back pain can be addressed through chiropractic adjustments and other therapies commonly seen in chiropractic offices. Addressing that root cause is vital, and chiropractors are experts at identifying them in this region of the spine.

How We Treat Middle Back Pain in Oklahoma City, OK and Surrounding Areas

Comprehensive Consultation and Examination

At Venturis Clinic, your first visit will consist of a thorough consultation and history and a detailed examination of the problem you are presenting. Dr. Alvin Philipose will sit down during the consultation and listen to your story. He will want to know details about the pain, how long it has been a problem for you, and how it affects your daily activities and quality of life. By getting this information, Dr. Alvin Philipose will have a better knowledge of you and learning what is important to you. Getting you back to living the life you want to live is our highest priority, so we must find out what that life looks like to help get you there.
During your examination, Dr. Alvin Philipose will go through many tests such as orthopedic, neurologic, and movement tests that help identify the cause of the problem. Based on the findings of this exam, along with your health goals, Dr. Alvin Philipose will then give you his best recommendations for care and how to meet those goals. Chiropractic is done with you, not done for you, so he will outline what YOU will need to do to help get the best results in conjunction with the work they are doing in the office.

Specific Chiropractic Care in Oklahoma City, OK and Surrounding Areas

Chiropractic is the practice by which chiropractors identify and correct subluxations in the spine. The thoracic spine is the largest section of the spine, so it is a common location for subluxation. When subluxation is present, it affects how the nerves at that level are able to function, which can cause many different symptoms, commonly pain. Chiropractic corrects this through the adjustment, in which the doctor uses his hands to help move the section of the spine back into its correct position. This allows the nerves to get back to functioning normally and allows the joints to move more freely. Because many people have been subluxated for a long time, it can take time for your condition to resolve fully. It is best to stick with your doctor’s care plan recommendations to get the best results.
Call to Schedule a Complimentary Consultation
405.848.7246
Ask about Digital Motion X-Ray Imaging
Offering variety of pain management solutions 

Dry Needling and Soft Tissue Work

In the middle back, many large muscle groups play a crucial role in keeping our spine stable, our posture upright, and our mobility intact. However, due to postural distortions, those muscles can become imbalanced, tight, and limiting. For this reason, the soft tissue aspect of any middle back problem must be appropriately addressed. At Venturis Clinic, we offer dry needling and soft tissue work help reduce muscle tightness and tension and help restore balance to the muscles around the spine. This can help decrease pain, improve circulation, and improve the overall healing of the original problem. If dry needling doesn’t interest you, Dr. Alvin Philipose is also trained in soft tissue treatment techniques that can help break up muscle adhesions that cause pain and tension. Using either their hands or metal tools, Dr. Alvin Philipose is able to not only restore proper muscle function but also help improve posture.

Custom Therapeutic Stretching

One of the most common causes of middle back pain is poor posture, so our mission at the Venturis Clinic is to help you address this. Many people have jobs that involve sitting at a desk behind a computer screen, and over time this causes postural changes such as the shoulders rolling forward or the head sliding forward. Over time, these changes cause things like neck pain, upper back pain, and middle back pain. Dr. Alvin Philipose will analyze your posture and come up with the proper corrective stretching plan for you to work on with our trainer in our functional fitness area. Everybody has unique needs, and our trainer will work with you to address those needs, regardless of your fitness level. Remember, this is a place of healing, not a gym. You are there to heal and optimize your function. At the end of your treatment plan, your doctor will re-check your posture so you can see the changes that are happening and celebrate those wins.
Call to Schedule a Complimentary Consultation
405.848.7246
Ask about Digital Motion X-Ray Imaging
Offering variety of pain management solutions 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is prolotherapy good for?

Many conditions respond well to prolotherapy, such as facet syndrome (back and neck arthritis), whiplash, joint sprains, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, tennis elbow, sprains, chronic tendonitis, Ehler’s-Danlos Disease, Bulging disc, knee pain, shoulder pain Vagus nerve inflammation and more.

What are the risks of prolotherapy?

Theoretical risks of prolotherapy injections include soreness, infection or neurological (nerve) damage. Injections should be performed by trained physicians using universal precautions diagnostics examinations and tproper examinations. This results in very minimal side effects.

What is the average cost of prolotherapy?

Costs vary quite a bit from $150-$1500 dependent on type and contents of injections.

Is prolotherapy a permanent fix?

Prolotherapy is an all-natural, permanent treatment, as it relies on the body repairing itself to reduce pain. In contrast, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications only provide temporary relief. Booster shots as well has wellness therapies including stretching, massage, chiropractic, dry-needling and strengthening will help maintain progress.

Who is a good candidate for prolotherapy?

More specifically, prolotherapy may be right for you if you experience any of the following: Damaged or lost tissue, especially surrounding the joints. If patients have tried various traditional treatments including prescription drugs, physical therapy, or steroids but seen minimal to no results, prolotherapy may be right for you.

Why does prolotherapy hurt so much?

A patient is generally sore for a couple of days after Prolotherapy. This is because the injections have to go through some muscles to get to the ligaments and tendons. To help the muscle soreness resolve itself sooner, dry needling and moist heat applied to the area is recommended.

Is prolotherapy better than cortisone?

Cortisone can cause tendon rupture, particularly of the achilles tendon. Prolotherapy is a proven orthopedic treatment to reduce pain and strengthen weakened joints without the negative side effects of cortisone.

What are the pros and cons of prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy is great for strengthening weak joints and creating heightened muscle functionality, such as increased movement and flexibility. However, there are some risks involved, for example it is a shot like any other so there could be pain or tenderness to the injection site.

What should you not do after prolotherapy?

Due to the numbness we ask that you refrain from any strenuous activities but to stay mobile. Continue to move affected area to decrease soreness and stiffness. You should avoid strenuous physical activity for 2 days following injections. You will experience some pain and soreness 2-5 days after your treatment. Do not take any anti-inflammatories, pain medications or steroids during treatments. This may inhibit your body’s ability to heal the affected tissue.

How long does prolotherapy take to heal?

Most ligaments and tendons heal within a period of 3 months; however, the majority of healing after a prolotherapy session occurs in the first two weeks.

How many prolotherapy sessions will I need?

Prolotherapy treatments vary from person to person and from injury to injury. Many patients have experienced some relief of their pain with only one session. The average person requires anywhere from 3-12 treatment sessions spaced about 3-6 weeks apart from each other.

How long does a prolotherapy injection last?

On average, patients experience one year of improvement and relief from prolotherapy. However, there is a huge variation and sometimes improvement lasts from three months to 15 years.

What is injected during prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy involves injections of a mild irritant into the injured part of your body. Most of the time the injection contains saline, dextrose (a type of sugar), and lidocaine, which is a numbing agent. Dr. Philipose custom tailors the injection, so the exact composition depends on your needs. These injections may include natural collagen, minerals, amino acids and other natural substances to accelerate healing compared to traditional prolotherapy.

Is prolotherapy better than surgery?

Prolotherapy is considered a viable alternative to surgery, and as an option to pain medications, cortisone and other steroidal injections. The Prolotherapy procedure is considered a safe, affordable option that allows the patient to keep working and/or training during treatment.

Can prolotherapy reverse arthritis?

One study with 90 adults with knee osteoarthritis involved some participants getting monthly prolotherapy injections of dextrose for 3 to 5 months. Those who received prolotherapy saw a significant improvement in pain, function, and stiffness scores.

Does prolotherapy regrow cartilage?

Prolotherapy is an injection of a non-biologic substance with localized effects for repairing connective tissue injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Recent studies in humans show that prolotherapy stimulates cartilage regeneration.

Are you sedated for prolotherapy?

Prolotherapy is a safe, cost effective injection technique used for treating musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain in various parts of the body. It is noninvasive, has limited side effects and does not require sedation.

What does dry needling actually do?

Dry needling treats muscle tissue, and its goal is to reduce pain, inactivate trigger points and restore function. It rarely is a standalone procedure. Rather, it often is part of a broader physical therapy approach incorporating other traditional physical therapy interventions into treatment.

What is dry needling and does it hurt?

We use very thin filament needles. The initial feeling of the needle entering through the skin is very minimal; much less than a vaccination or having blood drawn. Once the needle reaches the muscle, the twitch sensation feels more like a deep cramp and doesn't last long (15-30 seconds).

How long does dry needling results last?

After dry needling, experiencing some slight soreness is normal, and you will typically note an improvement in your symptoms within one to two days. How long the benefits will last will vary per individual. The first few treatments will usually have a short length of relief spanning over several days.

How many sessions of dry needling do you need?

If treatment zones are found and the correct muscle groups are targeted, sub-acute conditions will improve after three – four consecutive sessions, with chronic injuries requiring five – six consecutive needling sessions.

Does dry needling remove knots?

Dry needle therapy resolves muscle knots by inserting a very thin needle directly into the trigger point. The knot responds to the interruption and relaxes immediately. Most patients agree that dry needling doesn't hurt in the way that you might think!

How deep do dry needles go?

Superficial dry needling involves inserting a needle at a depth up to 10 mm or into the subcutaneous tissue and may be combined with manipulation of the needle while in situ.

Does dry needling reduce inflammation?

The micro tears caused by the needle prompts the body's natural defenses to get to work, bringing nutrient-rich blood to the site and boosting tissue repair. Dry needling also helps to dissipate inflammatory mediators, those substances that gather in an area of inflammation.

Is dry needling good for arthritis?

Dry needling is an effective treatment in reducing pain from osteoarthritis because it increases blood circulation around the joint, thereby providing natural relief.

What exactly does a chiropractor do?

A chiropractor is trained to make sure your body is functioning as optimally as possible by using spinal manipulations and other therapies to relieve pain in your joints and muscles. These spinal adjustments will increase blood flow and nerve conductivity to the joints and muscles that are experiencing pain. They are taught philosophically to find and treat the cause rather than just the symptoms.

Is it healthy to go to the chiropractor?

Spinal manipulation and chiropractic care are generally considered safe, effective treatments for acute low back pain, the type of sudden injury that results from acute or chronic conditions such as strains, arthritis or disc injuries.

What are the benefits of chiropractic care?

• Improves neck pain.
• Reduces reliance on opioid pain relievers. 
• Eases back pain.
• Possible reduction of osteoarthritis symptoms. 
• Eases headache symptoms. 
• More affordable treatment for chronic back pain. 
• High satisfaction. 
• Reduces scoliosis symptoms.

What are the cons of seeing a chiropractor?

Spinal and joint manipulation has a chance to go wrong and may cause unwanted injuries. So it is important that you only have an appointment with an experienced chiropractor that performs the necessary examinations and diagnostics to ensure safe treatments. DO NOT ALLOW a physical therapist or any other untrained person try a manipulation especially without X-rays.

When should you go to a chiropractor?

Chiropractors are most sought after to treat neck and low back pain due to acute or chronic pain. If you experience back pain that lasts for more than a few days, consult a chiropractor for an assessment.

What cracks when you see a chiropractor?

During a back adjustment, your back undergoes quick, gentle stretching of the spinal facet joint, so you may hear a cracking or popping noise. This is caused by small pockets of air or bubbles, which are in the fluid that surrounds your joints.

Why do chiropractors want you to keep coming back?

Changing your posture, changing your spine's ability to move, changing your muscle health and structure take time. Months in fact. All muscles have memory and your body wants to go back to its old patterns instead of creating new healthy ones. That is why adjustments need to be repeated again and again

Is chiropractic care is ineffective?

Critics are skeptical mainly due to the fact that chiropractic care does not involve medications or any invasive surgeries. Some have associated this practice with some side effects and fatal complications in some cases resulting in death or stroke. It also goes against the medical philosophy of not prescribing medications. In recent years there has been a comparison that shows not only Chiropractic to be safe, but healthier and more successful than taking steroids and medications. There are also various techniques now that prevent any type of injuries due the gentleness of the adjustment.

Why do some chiropractors crack and others don't?

The noises you hear during chiropractic treatment depend on the technique used. For example, some techniques cause a cracking sound, and others don't, but both can be highly effective, depending on your needs. So, whether you hear an abundance of pops or none at all, you don't need to worry.
If you have tried multiple types of doctors and treatments but still hurting, you may not have found the cause. We can help!
Find Us
7917 N May Ave, Oklahoma City, 
OK 73120, USA
(405) 848-7246
envelopephone-handsetmap-markerchevron-right linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram