The upper and middle back is called the thoracic spine. There are 12
vertebras, bones that attach your rib cage to the spine, this forms to
be the longest part of your back. Discs, are that separate each vertebra
and absorb the shocks on the back. Lastly the muscles and ligaments are
that hold your spine together.
Lower back pain is pretty much common among all of us, but upper
back pain crops up in exceptional cases. This is because the bones in
this area of the back don’t flex or move as much as our bones in the
lower back do. Upper back pain occurs when the muscles are strained,
overused or may be injured; poor sitting posture may also result in
upper back pain. Apart from this day to day occurrences upper back
pain may also be caused by pressure on the spinal nerves, fractured
vertebras and also in cases where the cartilage; that cushions the
small facet joints in the spine, are disrupted due to Osteoarthritis. In
rear cases pain can be experienced by other problems such as
gallbladder diseases, cancer or an infection. The most common symptoms
to identify an upper back pain are; muscle stiffness or a sharp burning
pain. In worst cases the symptoms may weaken and numb your arms and
legs and you may also lose bladder control.
Upper back can be best diagnosed by your doctor for quick relief
results. Your doctor may ask you questions with regards to pain felt in
your back, the work and the physical activities that you do.
Accordingly an imaging test will determine the exact cause of pain and
after which a suitable treatment can be given. Upper back pain treatments may include over the counter pain relievers, heat or ice
packs for mild to moderate upper back pain. For severe pain, the doctor
may give you prescribed medicines or may suggest you to opt for a
spinal surgery.
