Upper back pain can happen anywhere from the base of the neck to the bottom of the rib cage. Upper back pain can have several causes. Things like car accidents, injuries, broken bones, bad posture, disc problems, or even arthritis might prompt the pain. Most of the time, people with mild to moderate upper back pain can treat their symptoms at home. There are times when working through the pain is too difficult. That is when you need to talk with a medical professional from Southwest Pain Management.
What Is Pain in the Upper Back?
Upper back pain and middle back pain can happen anywhere from the base of your neck to the bottom of your rib cage. As mentioned above, the pain can occur due to many health problems or injuries to your upper back’s bones, disks, muscles, and ligaments. Consider the examples below:
Strains and sprains: Strains and sprains of tendons, ligaments, and muscle are common causes of upper back pain. When you lift something too heavy or lift with your back rather than your legs, you might tweak your back which can cause pain.
Bad posture: It’s important to be mindful of how you stand and sit. Bad posture can cause upper back pain, and if it is not corrected you might find it difficult to stand straight as you age.
Problems with disks: Disks can move or bulge out of place in the spine and put pressure on a nerve. You also might have issues caused by a herniated disk.
Fractures: Like any other bone, the bones in your spine might break. This could be due to an accident like a fall or a car crash.
Arthritis: Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that causes upper back pain.
Neck pain and low back pain happen more often than upper back pain. This is because the bones in your neck and lower back move and bend more than the bones in your upper back.
What Does Upper Back Pain Feel Like?
For some, who have a higher pain tolerance, they might not see your pain as something to seek help for. Don’t compare your pain to theirs. If your pain is interfering with your daily tasks, it’s time to reach out. Upper back pain is often described as:
A pain that burns or is sharp.
A sharp, aching pain.
Muscles that are tight or stiff.
Pain that spreads along a nerve.
Feeling tingly, numb, or weak.
How Is Upper Back Pain Diagnosed?
Your team at Southwest Pain Management will ask you about your medical history, how active you are, and what symptoms you are having. Also, they will ask you about your pain. Some of these questions could be:
When did it start hurting?
Where does it hurt you the most?
Is there anything you can do to make the pain go away?
Is there anything you do that makes it hurt more?
You will also have a physical exam and be asked to perform certain maneuvers to see how the movement affects your pain. Depending on what is found, more tests may be ordered. Connect with Southwest Pain Management today if you’re concerned about your upper back pain. It’s better to know the source of the pain and have a plan to alleviate it before it gets worse.