The main causes of upper back pain.
Injuries that damage or weaken bones and muscles in the back are most often responsible for the pain that we experience in the upper back.
1. Accidents
Automobile collisions and sporting accidents may result in injuries to the spine or surrounding soft tissue, including muscles, nerves and ligaments. Such injuries are a leading cause of upper back pain but, fortunately, rehabilitation without invasive surgical procedures is possible in many cases. With effective pain management and therapy, these injuries may be overcome. In cases where more severe injuries are sustained, including those which destabilize the spine, surgical procedures can sometimes be the most effective solution when considering how to fix upper back pain. Consulting a specialist is the best way forward when dealing with any type of upper back pain resulting from sporting or vehicular accidents.
2. Bad posture
Most people are aware of the potential for back and lower spine pain resulting from poor posture but are unaware that it is also a leading cause of upper back pain. If you spend a lot of time driving or sitting at a computer, it is possible you may damage muscles and ligaments, or the spine itself, over an extended period of time. If corrective action is taken before lasting damage has been done, it is possible to strengthen the affected soft tissue and reduce or eliminate the pain you are experiencing. The question of how to get rid of upper back pain caused by poor posture when other complications are involved, such as degenerative disc disease, is a little harder to answer but surgical solutions such as total disc replacement or spinal fusion have been successful in many cases.
3. Poor lifting technique
Improper technique when lifting heavy objects can cause injury to both the lower and upper back, with upper spinal injuries most often occurring when lifting anything above your head with poor technique. Even if your technique is good, attempting to lift something above your head that is very heavy could cause problems. Chronic pain caused by injuries from lifting can be reduced with over-the-counter medication and physical therapy but more serious cases may require corrective surgery. If stretching exercises and OTC pain medication does not help, it is a good idea to make an appointment with a local specialist. Whether you visit our hospital in Texas or another medical facility, we recommend preparing a list of questions to ask, before the day of your appointment. Don’t just ask your consultant how to fix upper back pain: make sure you get all the information you need so you can choose a treatment option that is right for you.
4. Repetitive injury
Repeating the same action on a frequent basis can lead to upper back pain, caused by strains or inflammatory conditions. By consulting a professional, you can find out whether the pain you experience from repetitive motions is fixable with physical therapy or whether a surgical procedure is required.
If you live in Texas (or anywhere else for that matter) and you’d like to see one of our specialists, please feel free to contact us.