Upper Back Pain, Injuries, & Conditions
Upper back pain happens between the neck’s base and the bottom of the rib cage. The upper back is often relatively pain and injury-resistant since the bones in your upper back do not bend or move as much as the bones in your neck and lower back. However, when upper back discomfort does happen, it is usually the result of different variables that outweigh the thoracic spine’s stability.
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Most Common Causes of Upper Back Pain
- Sprains and strains: The most frequent cause of discomfort in the upper back is back strains and sprains. You risk injuring your muscles, tendons, or ligaments by improperly lifting or by lifting objects that are excessively heavy.
- Muscle overuse: Another typical cause of upper back discomfort is overuse of the back muscles. This frequently happens as a result of long-term repetition of the same actions.
- Bad posture: Poor posture, such as slouching over a desk when seated, can weaken the muscles. As muscles get weaker over time, strains or irritations may happen more easily causing discomfort.
- Disk problems: Herniated discs are more frequently found in the lower back, but they may also occur in the upper back. This pressure can cause severe discomfort, in addition to other symptoms, including numbness or weakness in the arms or legs.
- Compressed nerve: A herniated disc has the potential to protrude far enough to crush a neighboring nerve. Upper back discomfort might occur from this.
- Fractures: When involved in an accident, such as a fall or a vehicle crash, the spine’s bones may fracture, leading to the possibility of upper back pains.
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis is the most distinctive type of arthritis resulting in upper back discomfort.
Additional Causes of Upper Back Pain
- Herniated Discs
- Kyphosis
- Scoliosis
- Muscle Spasm
- Nerve Impingement (Radiculopathy)
Available Treatments for Upper Back Pain Include:
- Posture training. Your spinal structures should be perfectly aligned if your posture is good, which lessens back pain. Start by implementing good posture techniques to stand or sit more comfortably.
- Medication. An over-the-counter medicine, prescription anti-inflammatory or muscle relaxer frequently works to relieve upper and mid back discomfort.
- Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections. A strong painkiller is directly injected into a trigger site. It could be the solution to your issue, or it might just buy you some time without experiencing discomfort while you look into other options for treating your upper back pain.
- Lumbar Rhizotomy. Although spinal surgery might be frightening, there are occasions when it is the most effective way to get relief. Rarely is surgery recommended for isolated upper back discomfort. Problems with the spine, such as vertebral fracture, a herniated disc, or deformity, usually to blame for this.
Why Lonseth Interventional Pain Centers?
If you experience upper back pain that bothers you, makes it difficult for you to do everyday tasks, and is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s time to speak with a specialist at Lonseth Interventional Pain Centers. New Orleans’ Top-Rated Pain Management Specialists offer a variety of state-of-the-art therapies to locate and treat the source of your upper back pain. Our knowledgeable experts provide a specialized approach to spinal care by providing non-surgical, rehab-oriented treatment options that aim to mitigate your discomfort and help you get back to your daily activities.
Upper Back Pain FAQ
The root causes of the pain might affect a person’s symptoms, which can vary from person to person. Pain can range from mild to severe. You may experience intermittent intense pain in one location or widespread achiness. Back pain without a specified cause is referred to as non-specific back pain.
Thoracic spine discomfort or upper back is frequently brought on by prolonged sitting. Long-term sitters, particularly office employees, are more likely to experience back and neck problems. The body finds it challenging to maintain one posture over time. Too much sitting usually results in a slouched posture. Unfortunately, slouching causes stress on the surrounding connective tissue, muscles, and joints.
The thoracic spine and the muscles that support your shoulders, neck, and upper back make up your upper back. You may tense or overcompensate due to poor posture, an accident, or pain, which will only worsen your pain and discomfort. Yoga can definitely help strengthen your core muscles and ease upper back discomfort and tension while promoting better posture.
A successful treatment approach for upper back discomfort frequently includes chiropractic adjustments. They can ease the strain on your muscles and nerves while assisting you in keeping your alignment throughout the day. The right alignment can also assist in providing your back with the support it needs to avoid experiencing undue stress during the day.