Causes and Treatment of Upper Back Pain

Pain in any part of the body makes one uncomfortable and if we talk about upper back pain, which can range from mild to unbearable, it is hard to tolerate. It can lead to less freedom of movement and make it hard for one to go with life smoothly.

The upper right portion of our back starts at the base of our neck and continues down our rib cage on the right-hand side. This area of the body includes the top of the thoracic spine.

Upper Back pain is often caused by problems with the spine, including:

• Vertebrae- These small bones from the backbone, and are attached to our rib cage.
• Spinal discs- Discs are located between each vertebra. They have spongy insides and a hard exterior. Our discs are designed to absorb shock when we walk, run, or jump.
• Muscles, ligaments, and tendons- These are bands of fibrous connective tissue that hold the spine in place.
• Nerves- Nerves are bundles of fibers that make easy communication between the brain, spinal cord, muscles, and internal organs.

Sometimes, pain in the upper back of the body can be caused by serious and potentially fatal conditions, such as a spinal infection, lung cancer, pulmonary embolism, or cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder).

Causes of Upper Back Pain

The cause will determine the type of pain one feels-

Pain in the upper back can be chronic or acute. The type of pain one feels can also differ from sharp and wounding to dull and hammering. Upper right back pain is caused by a wide range of conditions.

Cause of Upper Back Pain 1 Overuse, Muscle Strain, or Injury

A muscle strain is a twist or tear in a muscle or tendon. Overexertion, or the repetitive movements involved with activities like digging snow, leaning over a computer, or playing sports can result in muscle strain.

Sudden twisting or heavy lifting can also cause this condition. A fall, car collision, or sudden impact of any kind can cause injury ranging from mild to severe in the back.

Mild injuries can take the form of muscle strain, sprains, or spasms. A sprain is a stretch or tear in a ligament. A spasm is a sudden contraction in a muscle. Other symptoms include:

• Reduced range of motion in the arm or shoulder
• Increased pain with movement of the shoulder, arm, or back

Cause of Upper Back Pain 2 Extra Load On The Spinal Nerves

By lifting heavy objects or by injuries Herniated discs can be caused, such as whiplash. This condition is also referred to as a slipped or ruptured disc. When a disc in the back ruptures then automatically pressure gets placed on the spinal nerves.
A herniated disc occurs if the soft portion inside of a spinal disc pushes out, bulging through a tear in its outer coating. These discs are most common in the lower back, but can also occur in the neck, causing pain in the upper back. They may be more likely to occur in people who are overweight, or in older people.

Other symptoms of a herniated disc include:
arm or shoulder pain that may be made worse by coughing or sneezing

• Tingling sensation
• Numbness
• Muscle weakness in the arm or shoulder

Cause of Upper Back Pain 3 Vertebrae Fractures

Also called spinal fractures, this condition can be caused by an impact from a fall, sports collision, car crash, or other injury.

Vertebrae fractures cause the bones in the spine to break and possibly fragment, causing pinching or puncturing of the spinal cord or nerves. Vertebrae fractures range in severity from mild to catastrophic.

In addition to back pain, the symptoms one have will be determined by the severity of the injury. They may include:

• Neck pain
• Muscle spasms
• Weakness
• Tingling sensation
• Difficulty moving your arm or arms paralysis

Cause of Upper Back Pain 4 Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that increases the risk of fractures. People with this disease often do not know that they have it until they get a compression fracture in a spinal vertebra. Symptoms include:

• Sudden back pain onset
• Heightened pain when standing or walking
• Loss of height
• Receding gums
• Weak hand grip
• Brittle nails

Cause of Upper Back Pain 5: Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects the joints of the body. Most of the spine's vertebrae are connected to facet joints, making this area of the body susceptible to OA. OA can cause upper right back pain, or pain anywhere along the spine. This condition is sometimes accompanied by scoliosis. Other symptoms include:

• Radiating pain into the neck, arms, or shoulders
• Weakness
• Numbness
• Muscle cramps stiffness

Cause of Upper Back Pain 6 Connective Tissue Pain

It causes chronic pain in the connective tissues (fascia) that cover muscle, and may occur within the intervertebral discs of the spine. Myofascial pain is often caused by repetitive motion activities. It can generate pain deep within the muscle, or referred pain, causing discomfort in other areas of your body. Symptoms include:

• Tender spot deep in a muscle
• Pain that continually worsens

Cause of Upper Back Pain 7 Stress

Feelings like stress, nervousness, and anxiety can cause back pain. When one feels stress, body prepares for a fight-or-flight response, bracing itself for a major challenge, even if one is not imminent. This causes muscles to become tight.
One may also have:

• Rapid heartbeat headache
• Rapid breathing nervous stomach

Cause of Upper Back Pain 8 Lung Ailments

Since our lungs are located on upper back, conditions like pneumonia or respiratory infections can cause pain in the upper right back. Lung cancer can also cause pain in this area, especially if it's metastasized to the spine or chest. 

One may also feel pain if a tumour in the lung is pushing against our back. A pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung) can also cause pain in our upper right back.

Cause of Upper Back Pain 9 Gallbladder Ailments

Even though our gallbladder is not located near our upper back, conditions affecting it, such as gallstones, can make our upper right back hurt. This is known as referred pain. Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), is a potentially serious condition that can also cause pain in this area. When not treated, cholecystitis may rupture gallbladder.

Cause of Upper Back Pain 10 Breathing

Pain in the back can sometimes feel worse when we take a deep breath. This is because the vertebrae of the spine are connected to our rib cage. Usually, this is nothing to worry about. But sometimes, this type of pain can signal a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung).

Medical emergency

If the pain is brutal or accompanied by the following symptoms, seek medical help immediately:

• Sudden onset of shortness of breath
• Fainting or sudden onset of dizziness or weakness
• A sudden spike in temperature above 100°f (37°c).
• Sudden onset of severe chest pain
• Rapid heartbeat or sudden onset of irregular heartbeat
• Coughing up of blood

Upper Back Pain Treatment

Back pain is such a problem that can often be resolved at-home treatment, over the course of a few days. One may need to combine several treatments to get the best effect. Like:

Pain-relieving gel- Pain gels like volini, relaxed, dynapar, etc. can help reduce pain and inflammation.

Heat and ice- Heat and cold therapy can help calm down back spasms and relieve tightness. Try using a hot water bottle on your back, or sit in a whirlpool bath. Ice packs can be beneficial for inflammation, swelling, and pain for injury, sprains, and muscle strain.

Exercise- Gentle exercise, such as stretching or shoulder rolls, can help relieve pain and stiffness.

Massage- Massage around the lower neck and shoulder blades can help reduce muscle knots.

Rest- Complete rest can help one to overcome acute back pain but should be limited. Try resting for a few hours at a time, for one to two days only.

Therapy

Mud Therapy: One should apply mud pack on the stomach for 20 to 30 min and then Enema should be taken.

Water Therapy: One should take a hip bath for 5 to 10 min.

Wet sheet pack: Twice a week on the body.

Steam bath: once a week should be taken.

Sunbathe: Every day for some time (10 min.)

Yoga

Some walking and slight asana should be done. Open-air, mental and physical rest is a must. As cool mind recover’s fast. Surya Namaskar is very good

Pranayama

Pranayama such as Nadi shodhan, Ujjayi Pranayama, Kapalabhati, and simple breath is very useful in improving anxiety, tension, and sleep disturbances. Pranayama facilitates the person to access the prana (life force) and channel through the complex energetic network within the body. It helps in blood circulation, better oxygen supply, and related metabolic functions.

Yog Mudra

Prana, Apana, Vyana, Udana And Samana, five vital pranas are linked with our physical and mental energy. These pranic forces align our cells and heal within the body.

Meditation

Many traditional healing systems can help prevent cancer, meditation is one of the easiest to get to, omnipresent and beneficial way of achieving it. 

Risk Factors for Upper Back Pain Treatment

Back pain is a very common problem that can happen to anyone. Several risk factors that might cause one to experience upper right back pain, or chronic back pain, more often include:

Obesity or access weight can put more pressure on one’s back

Not exercising can cause poor muscle tone or weak muscles in the back and abdomen

Age (back pain increases with age)

Chronic stress or depression

Improper lifting, repetitive motion, and poor posture (desk jobs can also be a risk factor)

Smoking reduces blood flow throughout the spine and healing time from injury.

Consult a doctor If by home treatment, within a few days the pain does not start to improve within a week, then it is advised to see a doctor.