The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in 2019, 39.0% of U.S. adults experienced back pain in the past three months. This prevalence increased with age, from 28.4% among those aged 18–29 to 45.6% among those aged 65 and over.
Upper right back pain is known as thoracic back pain, referring to the upper right quadrant of the rib cage area up to the base of the neck. Upper right back pain can be an uncomfortable and disruptive issue, affecting your quality of life and daily activities. While many people experience occasional upper back pain, persistent discomfort, especially when accompanied by radiating pain or sharp shooting pain, may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. Understanding the causes and possible treatments for upper right back pain is essential for effective pain relief and management.
Pain Symptoms: Acute vs. Chronic Back Pain
Acute back pain often occurs suddenly and may be caused by factors like lifting a heavy object or a sudden muscle strain. This type of pain can be sharp and intense, sometimes making it difficult to breathe deeply or move comfortably. On the other hand, chronic pain, particularly chronic back pain, lasts for weeks or months and can lead to a persistent ache or discomfort that doesn’t go away. It may also cause sharp pain or shooting sensations in the upper back, radiating down into the shoulders or ribs.
If your upper right back pain is persistent and doesn’t improve with rest or anti-inflammatory pain relievers, it may be due to a chronic pain disorder. This type of pain can stem from long-term issues with the spinal nerves or muscles, which may require more advanced treatments to eliminate recurring pain.
Common Causes of Upper Right Back Pain
Upper back pain can result from a variety of factors. Some of the most common causes include muscle strain, poor posture, lifting heavy objects, and even underlying medical conditions. Muscle strain is particularly prevalent, as weak muscles in the upper back or spinal injury from improper lifting can cause discomfort and pain. Additionally, conditions like myofascial pain syndrome and spinal fractures can lead to chronic pain in the upper back, including the upper thoracic spine.
When dealing with upper right back pain, the discomfort may sometimes be referred pain, radiating from other parts of the body, such as the spine or rib cage. For example, lung-associated pain, like in cases of lung cancer or respiratory conditions, can also cause pain in the upper right back. In some cases, the thoracic spine itself may be the source of the pain, either from herniated discs, ruptures, or even vertebral compression fractures.
Muscle Injury
Too often, simple overuse or exhaustion of the back muscles can cause pain. Such things as shoveling snow or playing sports can leave you with strained or injured upper right back muscles. You may feel sudden spasms in the area, a dull ache, or sharp shooting pain when you move your right arm.
Treatments for this type of injury are most commonly at-home remedies involving rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory pain relievers.
Herniated Disc
Pain due to a herniated disc, commonly known as a slipped disc, occurs when a disc in your cervical or upper thoracic spine ruptures and causes pressure on your spinal nerves. Lifting heavy objects or whiplash can cause this issue and you’ll know by the tingling, numbness, or pain in the area or right arm when coughing or sneezing.
Anti-inflammatories, heat, rest, and stretching are the recommended treatments for acute mild pain. For chronic or more severe pain, a doctor may recommend surgery or steroid injections.
Osteoarthritis
When the protective cartilage that cushions the joints of your vertebrae wears away or breaks down, osteoarthritis presents itself as a grating sensation, swelling, stiffness, and bone spurs. This disease is caused by general wear and tear but factors such as obesity, older age, and repeated stress on the joint can increase your risks.
Treatment is effective in relieving the pain and discomfort associated with osteoarthritis, but there is no cure. At-home remedies include exercise, icing the area, and medications. A doctor may recommend physical therapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, or surgery.
Osteoporosis
A condition in which bones become very weak and are at a higher risk of breakage, leading to a spinal injury known as a vertebral compression fracture. You may experience a weakened hand grip, loss of height, and/or increased pain when standing or walking.
Treatment for this disease includes a healthy diet, exercise, and consumption of bone-strengthening medications and supplements recommended by a doctor.
Spinal Fracture
A vehicular accident, fall from a considerable height, or any high-impact trauma can cause thoracic or cervical fractures. Marked by pinching of, or punctures to, the spinal cord or nerves, this type of injury requires immediate emergency attention by a licensed health professional. Weakness and tingling up to paralysis are possible symptoms of a spinal fracture.
Referred Pain
It’s possible for your upper right back pain to not be associated with your back at all. Instead, conditions involving the gallbladder, such as gallstones, can factor into your pain and discomfort. Lung issues can also cause upper right back pain given that the lungs are located near the upper back. Pneumonia and lung cancer are possible causes of this type of lung-associated pain.
Treatments vary due to the complexity of this type. Your back pain will likely be one of several symptoms, so speak to a doctor to determine a treatment plan.
Stress
Believe it or not, stress can cause you to experience mild to moderate back pain. When in a stressful situation, your body activates its fight-or-flight response, regardless of whether it needs to or not. This phenomenon triggers muscle tightness, which, after some time, will foster upper right back pain. Symptoms associated with this type of pain include shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, and other factors related to stress and anxiety.
Recommended treatments for stress-related upper back pain include stretching, exercise, and consistent relaxation. A healthy diet is also beneficial in alleviating these symptoms.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Myofascial Pain Syndrome, also known as MPS, is a chronic pain disorder affecting the fascia (the connective tissue covering the muscles). Caused by repeated injury or overuse that sets off trigger points, this condition can target one muscle or a muscle group. Symptoms include tender spots in the muscle, pain that persists or worsens, and muscle spasms.
Your at-home treatment plans should consist of light exercise and gentle stretching. You should also see a physical therapist regularly and incorporate massages into your routine. Medications such as muscle relaxers and pain blockers can be given based on a doctor’s recommendations.
Treatment Options for Upper Right Back Pain
Effective treatment for upper right back pain typically starts with conservative methods such as gentle stretching, maintaining proper posture, and using pain relief medications like anti-inflammatory pain relievers. These approaches can help alleviate tension in the upper thoracic spine and provide temporary relief from the sharp pain caused by muscle strain or poor posture. However, if pain symptoms persist, more specialized treatments may be needed.
Spinal injuries, herniated discs, or ruptures in the upper thoracic spine may require more targeted therapies, such as spinal injections, physical therapy, or even surgery. If you’re dealing with chronic pain from conditions like myofascial pain syndrome or spinal fractures, pain blockers may be used to help manage severe pain and allow for rehabilitation. In some cases, surgical intervention may be required to treat more serious injuries to the spinal cord or vertebrae.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While occasional upper back pain may resolve on its own, persistent or severe pain that doesn’t improve with at-home care should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. This is particularly important if the pain is associated with other symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, excruciating pain, or pain radiating from the upper back to the chest or abdomen. In some cases, this could indicate a serious condition, such as lung cancer or a severe spinal injury, requiring immediate medical attention.
Your medical history will play a significant role in diagnosing the underlying cause of the pain. By providing detailed information about previous injuries, chronic conditions, or lifestyle factors, your doctor will be able to recommend the most effective treatment plan to address your pain symptoms and help eliminate recurring pain in the upper back.
Get Treated for Upper Back Pain Today
Our dedicated team of physicians, physician assistants, and surgeons can help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of your upper back pain. We provide customized treatment plans to get you back to living a full life without the distress of pain. Contact us now so we can start you on the road to recovery. Contact us today at (516) 355-0111 or request an appointment.