WHAT CAUSES UPPER BACK PAIN?
Upper back pain can be caused by a multitude of things. Sitting at your computer for prolonged periods of time, personal injury or car accidents, poor posture, overuse of the back muscles, and working out too much without stretching are common causes of upper back pain. Women who have large breasts may also experience upper and mid-back pain due to the gravity pulling at the weight of their chests. Other medical causes of mid-back pain is scoliosis, having an extra rib known as a cervical rib, rib subluxation or strain/sprain injury.
WHAT ARE COMMON SYMPTOMS OF UPPER BACK PAIN?
Symptoms of upper back pain include tight/taught muscles, tenderness, aching, burning, sharp, and pins-and-needles or even radiating type pain. The type of pain you are experiencing will help your doctor to determine the root issue. Headaches can occur alongside upper back pain, as well as stiffness in the surrounding areas. Pain in the shoulders or down the arms accompanied by tingling or numbness usually occurs when you have a pinched nerve or TOS (thoracic outlet syndrome). If you have been injured or your muscles are feeling tight and tender to the touch, you may have a strain/sprain of your traps or rhomboids. This can be caused from overuse or injury of the muscles. If you have a deep, sharp pain when you inhale, you may have a rib that is out of place.
WHAT DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ARE PERFORMED TO DIAGNOSE?
The first test that your doctor will likely order is an X-ray, which is a scan that uses electromagnetic energy to create images of internal tissues, bones, and organs. An X-ray will allow your doctor to see what is really going on within your bones in your vertebral column & ribs. If your X-ray seems to be normal, but you are not getting better after chiropractic treatments, your doctor may order an MRI to see the soft tissue structures. If your X-ray comes back with abnormalities, your doctor will likely order an MRI. An MRI is a scan that uses radio waves and a magnetic field to obtain more detailed pictures of your spine, the surrounding tissues, and organs.
WHAT ARE POSSIBLE DIAGNOSES OF UPPER BACK PAIN?
Thoracic spondylosis, intervertebral disc degeneration, thoracic hyperkyphosis, Scheuermann’s disease, scoliosis, subluxation/segmental dysfunction, disc herniation, pinched nerve, and whiplash are a few common diagnoses of upper back pain. Other possible diagnoses include spinal stenosis, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoporosis, lupus, and lung cancer.
WHAT ARE THE BEST OPTIONS FOR TREATING UPPER BACK PAIN?
Based on an examination by your doctor, treatment plans may include a variety of treatment options. First and foremost, receiving conservative chiropractic adjustments on a regular basis is the most effective holistic treatment. Your chiropractor will realign your spine and remove the kinks in your nervous system, just like removing the kinks in a garden hose. These spinal adjustments allow your nervous system to flow properly and fix your posture, which reduces pain and inflammation naturally. Physical therapy also aides in decreasing pain, increasing mobility & strengthening. Your doctor will determine whether you should apply ice or heat to the affected area, which may be combined with electric muscle stimulation therapy. Ultrasound and/or laser therapy may also be suggested, as both of these passive modalities heal the tissues deep within. Physical rehabilitation combined with chiropractic care is the best option for most patients suffering with upper back pain. Physical rehabilitation may include stretching, strengthening, and stabilizing the body through exercises tailored to fit your specific needs by your chiropractor. Manual massage, cupping, and scraping therapies may all help to release the lactic and uric acid build up within your upper back muscles. If the previously mentioned therapies do not create positive results or unintentionally cause your symptoms to worsen, pain management will likely be the next best option. Pain management includes the use of medications prescribed by a medical doctor, such as pain killers and muscle relaxers, which may be accompanied by steroid injections. Using certain medications can put some patients at risk for becoming addicted, so it is extremely important to take your prescribed medication as directed and to pay attention to the way your body reacts to it. If unavoidable, the last resort for a patient would be surgical options. Depending on your diagnosis, surgical procedures may include: corpectomy (or vertebrectomy), discectomy, facetectomy, foraminotomy, laminectomy or laminotomy.
For more information please visit us at one of our convenient ZENITH Injury Relief & Wellness Clinic locations. Call 972-210-0033 to schedule today!