What is the likely cause of my upper, spinal"ish" back pain????

ARRHHH-back pain blows...Im 32 yrs old and my backs been flamin' up lately. It's not lumbar or lower pain, rather-higher up in the thoracic region and there are "soft spots" at the joint points..It flamed up for about a month or so last year and left. Now it's back-stiffness, general soreness, sore joints-HELP cause Im worried it's some kind of degenerative arthritic stuff despite my physicians attempt to kick me out of his office.