Upper Back Pain

It is often caused by poor posture and excessive strain but there are numerous other medical conditions that can cause pain the upper back region.

Different injuries, including the ones produced in automobile accidents have been linked with the appearance of upper back pain. Whiplash represents a serious injury that happens at the level of the cervical vertebrae, more exactly the neck. However, this injury can and will affect the muscles situated in the upper back region, associating a high degree of pain and discomfort.

Lifting heavy things, having large breasts and suffering from osteoporosis are just three of the major causes of upper back pain. In the first situation, the pain appears due to constant muscular irritation and it can often associate a herniated disc. Women with large breasts complain all the time of upper back pain, visiting the doctor and physical therapist to reduce some of the discomfort they experience. A simple solution is represented by switching from a regular bra to a sports brassiere, as the last offers more support.

Muscular irritation is noticed in all cases of upper back pain, including osteoporosis. Women who are over a certain age (50) or who have reached menopause are at risk. Due to the lack of certain hormones, their bones become fragile and porous. Vertebrae can fracture easily, causing a compression of the spine and its nervous roots. This condition leads to acute upper back pain and if left untreated, it can become chronic. Resolving the fracture through a surgical intervention and associating medical rehabilitation with pain medication will help the patient escape the upsetting upper back pain.

Not only muscular irritation contributes to the appearance of upper back pain. In many cases, patients are diagnosed with joint dysfunction. Such problems are caused by poor posture (commonly known as slouching) but also to repeated strain injuries or different trauma (automobile accidents). In case of a compressive fracture, the pain associated in the upper back region can only be reduced through surgery. The medical intervention is known as vertebroplasty, being quite efficient in patients who suffer from pathological bone fractures (osteoporosis).

Patients suffering from spinal disease, heart conditions and even pancreatic cancer complained of upper back pain. This symptom has been described in association with degenerative disc disease but also with sudden injuries. Chronic upper back pain results obviously in time, especially in people who spend a lot of hours sitting at their computers. A wrong reading position or keeping the phone lodged between your shoulders and ear could also be responsible for upper back pain.

Commonly affected areas when it comes to upper back pain are the insertion of the trapezius muscle and also the shoulder blades. In some cases, a medical specialist might be able to identify specific trigger points. The treatment recommended includes a special massage that focuses solely on these trigger points and injections with pain-relievers.

Escaping from upper back pain has a lot to do with physical therapy. Patients are recommended to follow a complete program that includes both active and passive exercises. Other indications include deep tissue massage, manipulation of the affected joints and even acupuncture. Depending on each patient and the condition which has caused upper back pain in the first place, one can apply either ice or heat to the affected zone. Analgesics can be used on a wide scale for the treatment of pain.

Patients who have been diagnosed with upper back pain due to joint dysfunction should also follow physical therapy. The same goes for those who have suffered surgery due to trauma or compressive fractures. They need physical therapy and rehabilitative programs so as not to suffer post-surgical complications. Such programs include both exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles affected by the upper back pain. Joints should be rapidly mobilized and the patient is recommended to perform aerobic exercises before starting any physical therapy program. Pressing ones elbow on the tender region and releasing after a period of 30 seconds might also help. The important thing is to maintain the right posture and exercise a lot to keep those muscles in top shape.