Upper back pain is commonly caused by poor posture, muscle overuse, or injury. Home remedies like as rest and moderate exercises, as well as visits to a physical therapist, may be used to treat the condition.
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| What are some of the most common causes of upper back pain? |
The area between the base of the neck and the bottom of the ribcage is known as the upper back. The upper back, also known as the thoracic spine, is made up of 12 bones.
The upper back's first bone begins at the base of the neck and terminates slightly below the ribcage. Upper back pain can occur anywhere between these vertebrae.
The majority of patients describe upper back discomfort as a burning or pulling sensation in one spot, which could be the site of an injury or strain.
Upper back pain can be caused by a variety of factors.
Though it is less frequent than lower back or neck pain, an upper back pain research published in Occupational Medicine found that 1 in 10 men and 1 in 5 women suffer from it.
Upper back pain is referred to the doctors as thoracic spine pain, or TSP. The following are some of the most common causes:
1. Muscle deconditioning and slouching
Through workouts and weight training, people can develop their muscles to become stronger and more lasting over time.
The opposite is also true. Humans can decondition their muscles by not using them correctly over time.
Deconditioning some muscles, particularly the back muscles, is as simple as sitting at a computer with poor posture for an extended period of time. This can be done while at work.
Slouching on a chair over a desk may result in muscle weakness. Muscle weakness can cause pain in the area as they become strained or irritated over time.
When a person slouches, gravity and the body exert pressure on the vertebrae, neck, discs, and ligaments. This pressure might cause pain and other issues over time. In most circumstances, it is possible to condition the muscles to become stronger and more durable.
This approach begins with improving one's sitting posture and taking regular breaks from one's workstation to move about and stretch.
Exercises may also assist improve back strength, as may using a standing desk. Conditioning the muscle, on the other hand, requires patience, and anyone suffering from chronic upper back pain due to weak muscles may benefit from seeing a physical therapist to develop an exercise plan tailored to their unique needs.
2. Excessive muscle use
Another common cause of upper back pain is overuse of back muscles. This is usually caused by repeating the same motions over and over again. This could be the result of:
stiffness in the muscles, irritation
A pitcher in baseball is a great example of this, as they do a similar motion every time they throw, which can be taxing on their shoulder.
Other repetitive activities may induce pain in the same way. Someone who has to make the same motion all day, or who lifts things above their heads, for example, may develop muscle pain, stiffness, or strain. If people disregard these warning signs, it could lead to chronic pain.
Resting the area and applying heat or cold packs to increase blood circulation to the muscular tissues are common treatments for muscle overuse. It may be beneficial to discover ways to reduce repetitive movements or to take rests between activities.
A physical therapist may suggest exercises to increase flexibility and strength in the area.
3. Injuries caused by trauma
Back pain might also be caused by a traumatic injury. This could be the result of situations such as:
- automobile mishaps
- Slipping and falling at work
- lifting inappropriately
- working out too hard
Sometimes the injury is evident, and pain appears shortly after the incident. At times, the discomfort may not appear until later in the day or the next day.
Traumatic injuries can be serious, and difficulties such as cracked vertebrae put a person at danger of long-term repercussions such as chronic pain, nerve damage, and paralysis.
A doctor should examine all potential back injuries since appropriate healing is critical to avoiding long-term pain.
A doctor may send the patient to a physiologist or physical therapist to assist in the appropriate healing of muscle damage. Serious injuries may necessitate surgery.
4. Disc herniation
Herniated discs are more frequent in the lower back, but they can also occur in the upper back.
The soft, rubbery cushions between each vertebra are known as discs. Herniated discs arise when a piece of this cushion pokes through and presses against the spine.
Even minor pressure can cause severe pain in the centre of the back, as well as accompanying symptoms such as numbness or paralysis in the arms or legs.
The majority of people do not require surgery for herniated discs and can recover with rest or anti-inflammatory drugs.
5. Nerve impingement
A herniated disc can protrude far enough to crush a neighboring nerve. A pinched nerve in the middle back might result in:
numbness and pain in the arms or legs issues with urinary control weakness or lack of control in the legs
When a pinched nerve is caused by a herniated disc, the therapy is the same as for the herniated disc. In most circumstances, a pinched nerve does not require surgery, though doctors may recommend spinal steroid injections in some cases.
6.Osteoarthritis
Back pain is occasionally caused by a problem with the bones and joints rather than the muscles.
As a person ages, the cartilage that cushions and protects the bones may wear away. This is referred to as osteoarthritis. According to the National Institute on Aging in the United States, it is the most frequent type of arthritis among older persons.
Osteoarthritis can eventually cause the cartilage between the bones to wear away completely, causing the bones to grind together. This can also cause nerve pressure in the spine, resulting in numbness or tingling in the arms and legs.
Anyone who feels they have osteoarthritis should consult a physician for a diagnosis and treatment plan. The majority of treatment focuses on pain management and keeping the joints functional.
7. Myofascial pain
Pain can also be caused by issues with the fascia, or connective tissue in the back.
Myofascial pain can develop as a result of an injury or overuse, but persistent myofascial pain can last for years after the initial damage.
It is still unknown why certain people get myofascial pain. Physical therapy and myofascial release therapy may be recommended by doctors to help a person work the fascia and relieve pain.
8. Spinal infection
Upper back pain may be caused by an infection in rare cases. A spinal epidural abscess is a collection of bacteria and pus that forms between the spinal cord and the spine's bones.
The abscess might develop and grow, causing pain. Early detection is crucial, and doctors will treat a spinal abscess as soon as possible to minimize serious complications.
Antibiotics may be beneficial, and surgery may be required to drain the abscess and lessen the risk of complications.
According to a study published in BioMed Research International, fatality rates among persons with spinal epidural abscess might range from 2 to 25%, owing to the fact that their disease may take too long to be diagnosed.
9.Lung cancer
In extremely rare circumstances, back pain may be caused by lung cancer.
One such situation is highlighted in a case report published in the Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology. According to the study, problems can cause the cancer to spread to the bones in 30 to 40% of persons with non-small cell lung cancer.
Other Situations
Upper back pain can also be caused by disorders affecting the spine or muscles. These are some examples:
- scoliosis \fibromyalgia
- kyphosis is a problematic spinal abnormality.
- Each condition's treatment differs and has various degrees of success.
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