Back pain can bring your day to a screeching halt. Much of our routine involves our back and core muscles to some degree. So days with even a minor strain or back injury result in multiple flairs throughout the day.
The cause of low back pain is usually known, but upper back pain tends to leave sufferers asking, “why does my upper back hurt?”
How To Define Upper Back vs. Mid Back Pain
Most of us know what area is involved when people describe neck pain or lower back pain, but how do you tell whether something is in the upper or middle back? In medical terms, the upper back is the thoracic spine, a section of twelve vertebrae between the cervical and lumbar spine.
It’s quite difficult to count your own vertebrae, so how can you know where the thoracic spine begins and ends? You can use the other parts of your body connected to it to define its location. The thoracic spine begins at the base of the neck and ends at the bottom of the ribcage.
The thoracic spine connects to the ribcage, and this connection helps stabilize the upper back. Yet, this does not mean it is immune to strain or injury. The area contains many different muscle groups, ligaments, and tendons of varying sizes, and any of them can become damaged or strained.
Common Causes of Upper Back Pain
There are more possible causes for upper back pain than you might think. Most causes boil down to posture problems or injury, but upper back pain is also symptomatic of a few underlying conditions. It is crucial to determine the reason for your pain to ensure you receive the proper treatment and discover any co-occurring problems.
Poor Posture
Did you know poor posture does more than hamper your appearance? Over time, slouching, sprawling, and hunching can cause muscles throughout the back, core, and neck to weaken and even shrink. In their weakened state, they are easily irritated or strained and cause pain.
Incorrect posture squeezes organs and heaps stress on certain areas instead of allowing it to be spread evenly throughout the body. When left untreated, this stress and pressure wear on the body leading to injury or dysfunction.
You can improve your posture through a combination of exercise, lifestyle changes, and habit building. It is a lengthy process, so you will not see immediate results. However, good posture helps improve health overall, so it is a step well worth the effort.
Overuse
Overusing any muscle group can result in pain, and the muscles found in the upper back are no exception. Pain from overuse can be short term due to working extra hard in the yard one weekend, or it can be lasting pain caused by chronically overusing the same muscle group.
Short-term or acute pain from overuse ranges from mild to severe, and unexpected actions can trigger it. Beginning a new exercise routine, doing extra work around the house, or moving furniture are common reasons for acute upper back pain. A more unexpected example of actions causing overuse of upper back muscles would be a new cane user placing too much weight on their cane for a day or two.
Treatment usually involves rest and applying cold or hot compresses to the affected area. Then take extra care to have good form and take regular breaks if you need to repeat the action later.
Repetitive Stress Injury
The causes of long-term, or chronic, upper back pain due to overuse are more subtle and sometimes difficult to pinpoint. Chronic upper back pain often results from repeating an action many times throughout the day or week, every week. Repetitive stress injury is another way to term these causes.
Motions carried out with minimal strain can still cause irritation, inflammation, and pain when repeated hundreds of times. Pain may start at a mild level and build over time, or it may become severe without warning.
Rest and using hot or cold compresses are the first steps in treating a repetitive stress injury, but you need to find alternative ways to complete the task. If this is not possible, frequent breaks combined with stretches and exercises can alleviate pain and prevent further injury.
If the pain persists, physical therapy may help you find relief, regain flexibility, and build strength.
Injury
Did your upper back pain develop suddenly after an accident or lifting heavy objects? If so, an injury may be causing your back pain.
While the back may seem simple compared to some of the body’s other complex systems, it has dozens of muscles, bones, discs, and nerves that work together. Trauma to any of them can cause localized or radiating pain.
Don’t discount the possibility of injury if the pain did not start until hours or even a day later. Adrenaline, shock, and other factors can cause a delayed pain response. Spine and back injuries require treatment to heal well, so make sure you seek medical attention for any suspected injury.
Underlying Conditions
Many different conditions list upper back pain as a symptom. These range from structural issues like scoliosis or spinal deformity to infections or even cancers, and they are too numerous to discuss in a single article.
If your posture is correct and you have ruled out overuse, see your doctor. Only a qualified physician can diagnose and treat these underlying conditions.
When Should I Seek Medical Care for Upper Back Pain?
Back pain is a fact of life for most individuals today, but new or worsening pain is never something you want to ignore. Check your posture health, and consider if your pain is the result of overuse or injury. If neither is likely, or the pain continues, seek medical help.
A doctor should evaluate any suspected back injury. A poorly healed back injury, or muscle tension due to favoring a back injury, can cause lasting or permanent back pain.
Let New York Spine Specialists Help
Don’t let upper back pain slow you down. The expert physicians at New York Spine Specialists are here to help you get back to your routine pain-free. Call us at 516.355.0111 to set up your appointment.
