Physical Therapy For Upper Back Pain

No one wants to suffer from upper back pain. It can hinder you from doing basic movements like walking and picking up objects. Upper back pain is not as common as lower back pain, but it can still easily affect anyone and be just as agonizing. Studies show that back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, causing many to stop working and participating in everyday activities.

If you are experiencing upper back pain, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible – treatment that could involve physical therapy.

What Does Upper Back Pain Feel Like?

It is common for our muscles in our upper back to lock up when we are stressed or sleep in uncomfortable positions. But how do you know if that minor discomfort is serious back pain?

Symptoms of upper back pain include:

Stiffness: Reduced mobility of the muscles in the upper back, causing difficult or impossible arm movement.
Sharp pain: Quick spasms of intense pain in one spot
Radiating pain: Burning, tingling, numbing sensations that travel along the nerves from the thoracic spine, into the arms, stomach, chest, and lower body.
Losing control of the bladder and bowels
Weakness in the arms and legs

Causes of Upper Back Pain

There are many reasons why you may be experiencing upper back pain. Some of the causes include:

Muscle overuse: Lifting heavy objects, playing a sport that requires throwing such as baseball or football, etc.
Herniated disc: When a spinal disc has ruptured or slipped out of the spinal alignment. A disc that slips out can press on a nearby nerve and cause intense pain.
Poor posture: Keeping your head and shoulders hunched over, which puts a lot of weight on the spine. It is the most common cause of upper back pain.
Osteoarthritis: The wearing down of the cartilage that cushions your bones.
Trauma injury: Injury to the spinal bones, ligaments, or muscles due to a car accident, bad fall, or sports collision.
Smoking: Smoking causes oxygen and nutrient deprivation to spinal tissues.

Treatments and Prevention For Upper Back Pain

When trying to prevent upper back pain, practicing good posture is a good place to start. Many of us spend hours hunched over our laptops and notebooks. Try to keep your shoulders pushed back and your head up straight when sitting, standing and walking.

Other ways to prevent back pain include:

Quitting smoking
Losing weight
Staying active
Sleeping on a semi-firm mattress that prevents your spine from curving too much
Using your legs and knees when lifting objects

If your upper back pain persists, your doctor may suggest medication, surgery, or physical therapy.