Upper Back Pain
by Jennifer Martin, D.P.T.
Upper back pain, or mid-back pain, occurs in the area known as the thoracic spine and has become a natural part of our "sitting society". Since the structure of this region of the spine is different from the neck and low back, the pain can also be different.
This article will brieflt discuss some of the common causes of upper back pain and summarize typical medical and natural solutions and remedies.
The thoracic spine is less mobile than the neck and low back because it has rib attachments. It is naturally strong and stable, designed to protect the internal organs and the rest of the spine. It therefore is a less frequent site injury.
Upper back pain very frequently is associated with neck and shoulder pain, often because of prolonged sitting in a poor position. The thoracic spine can become very stiff and achy with incorrect posture.
What Causes Upper Back Pain?
There are many causes for upper back pain, including muscle, rib, joint and disc problems. Upper back pain can also be the result of trauma.
If you have osteoporosis or osteopenia, you can get compression fractures in the thoracic spine because of bone weakness. If you have osteoporosis and experience thoracic pain, you should be contact your doctor immediately as this is a medical RED FLAG.
Sometimes the thoracic spine can be a site of cancer metastasis, which is also a medical RED FLAG. If you have a history of cancer, contact your physician if you experience thoracic spine pain.
If your upper back pain is not caused by the above red flag problems, then you are most likely experiencing pain due to muscle and joint imbalances.
These structural imbalances occur because of poor postural and movement habits over time, such as sitting at your computer for long periods of time with your head forward and shoulders and upper back rounded. Upper back pain will be the natural result of this sitting posture.
Here is an example of how upper back pain can develop
Let's say your job tasks require that you to sit at a desk much of the day and you also must drive in your car to meet with various clients. Although when you were young, your mom always told you to sit up straight, over the years you have noticed that you tend to slouch while sitting.
In this slouching posture, your head slips forward and your chin sticks out forward into what is called a "forward head posture". This pulls your shoulders forward and rounds your upper back into an excessive slouching or "kyphotic" position.
You notice as the day goes on your upper back starts to experience a burning sensation between your shoulder blades as well as aching into the shoulders. Sometimes, you even get sharp pains at the base of your neck.
Common Remedies and Solutions
Typical medical treatments for postural upper back pain include NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, rest and cortisone injections. It is rare to use surgical intervention for upper back pain.
Heat, ice, ultrasound and exercise solutions are temporary unless you address the postural and alignment issues that created your problem in the first place.
Upper back pain can be reduced simply by improving your postural awareness, correcting imbalances, increasing flexibility, and improving muscular stabilization, so undue stresses are not placed on your neck and upper back. Also, reestablishing full mobility in the thoracic spine can reduce pain in the upper back, as well as the rest of the spine.
