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Upper Back Pain

Advanced Spine & Sports CareConditionsUpper Back Pain

Upper Back Pain

Severe Upper Back Pain Treatment & Cause

Our Chicago, IL chiropractors know the upper back or thoracic spine is a very common area for pain.  To understand why this is so common some general anatomy may shed some light.  This is one of the areas of the spine that when viewed from the side goes from concave to convex.   In addition, these twelve vertebrae have rib attachments.  Nine of these ribs, in turn, connect to the breastbone in the front to make up the thoracic cavity.  The bottom three ribs do not attach in the front but protect vital organs and allow for more mobility.  Thoracic meaning pertaining to the chest, explains how involved this area can cause a variety of musculoskeletal complaints if not aligned and working properly.  The more common causes of pain in other areas of the spine such as disc herniations, disc bulges, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease are less common in the thoracic region.  However the fact that this region makes up over two-thirds of your bodies joints, joint dysfunction is very common in the thoracic spine.  

Causes of upper back pain can range from accident or injury or more commonly poor posture. In fact, over recent years poor posture has become increasingly common. We are even seeing posture reserved for nursing home patients in younger people as early as 30. We have creatively now called this lack of good posture "text" neck.

Main Causes of Upper Back Pain 

The upper back is considered the area that is between the base of the next stretching to the bottom of the ribcage. The thoracic spine consists of 12 bones, which makes up the upper back. Though upper back pain is less common than pain in the lower back and neck, there are many different causes of why someone suffers from upper back pain. 

Poor posture

Through every movement and non-movement, you are either conditioning or deconditioning your muscles. You condition your muscles through walking, exercise, and good posture, among other things. But the moment that you do not use your muscles correctly is the moment that they start to decondition. Unfortunately, the muscles in the back can decondition rapidly by something as simple as sitting at your desk working. Poor posture plays a huge role in upper back pain as when a person is slouched, the gravity pressure uses a person’s weight and pushes on the spine, neck, and ligaments. This pressure in time will cause back pain, leading you to put in the work to recondition the muscles. 

Overusing Your Muscles  

Just as much as not using your muscles enough can hurt you, excessive use can also cause painful damages. Overusing muscles is another common cause of upper back pain, and it can cause muscle strain, tightness, and or irritation. There are a variety of different reasons to why you may overuse your muscles, such as: 

  • Sports where you use a similar motion time and time again (Baseball Players, Quarterbacks, Golfers, etc.)
  • Jobs that include lifting things above their head throughout the day. 
  • Intensive back workouts without rest days or massage therapy. 

Traumatic Injury

Any kind of traumatic injury that you experience can also lead to upper back pain. Traumatic injuries such a car accident, slipping and falling, intense workout, or a sports injury, among others, puts you at high risk of developing upper back pain. You may notice this pain directly after the injury, or it may gradually appear with the pain slowly worsening over time. It is important to see a doctor and chiropractor after any severe or traumatic injury to ensure that no other further issues develop. 

Pinched nerve

A common problem associated with a herniated disc as the disc can slip far enough and pinch a nerve, causing numbness and pain in the back. 

Osteoarthritis

A common misconception is the muscles in the back only cause back pain, but it actually could be a problem in the bones and joints. If the cartilage that cushions the bones wears down, the bones will rub together, putting pressure on essential nerves that control pain and sensory systems. If you feel as though you possibly have osteoarthritis, it is essential that you see a doctor to diagnose and develop a treatment plan. We at Advanced Spine and Sports Care can help get you back on your feet by designing a detailed plan for you and your condition. We want nothing more than to attend to your needs. 

Common Questions Asked About Upper Back Pain 

What does Upper Back Pain Feel Like? 

Upper back pain can feel different for many people. The pain can start off very seriously, or it can gradually develop each day. Most patients describe upper back pain as a burning or pulling sensation. It is important if you feel pain in your back to reach out to Advanced Spine and Sports Care immediately.  

How Common is Upper Back Pain? 

Upper back pain isn’t as common as lower back pain or neck pain. Though all have similar symptoms and causes, only about 1 in 10 men and 1 in 5 women suffer from upper back pain. 

When should I call Advanced Spine and Sports Care?

Immediately, plain and simple. Not just for upper back pain, but for any kind of back or neck pain, it is crucial that you contact us right away and let us develop a treatment plan for you. Some back and neck related pain can be very serious and demand immediate action.

What can I do at home to help it?

If you suffer from constant back pain, you can try the heat and cold method. Place a cold pack on the affected area for 20 minutes, and it will reduce swelling and pain. After, place a hot pack for 20 minutes to relax the muscles. You can also use Tylenol or Advil to help with the pain.

upperbackpain

 

 

Main Causes of Upper Back Pain 

 

The upper back is considered the area that is between the base of the next stretching to the bottom of the ribcage. The thoracic spine consists of 12 bones, which makes up the upper back. Though upper back pain is less common than pain in the lower back and neck, there are many different causes of why someone suffers from upper back pain. 

 

Poor posture

 

Through every movement and non-movement, you are either conditioning or deconditioning your muscles. You condition your muscles through walking, exercise, and good posture, among other things. But the moment that you do not use your muscles correctly is the moment that they start to decondition.

 

Unfortunately, the muscles in the back can decondition rapidly by something as simple as sitting at your desk working. Poor posture plays a huge role in upper back pain as when a person is slouched, the gravity pressure uses a person's weight and pushes on the spine, neck, and ligaments. This pressure in time will cause back pain, leading you to put in the work to recondition the muscles. 

 

Overusing Your Muscles  

 

Just as much as not using your muscles enough can hurt you, excessive use can also cause painful damages. Overusing muscles is another common cause of upper back pain, and it can cause muscle strain, tightness, and or irritation. There are a variety of different reasons to why you may overuse your muscles, such as: 

 

  • Sports where you use a similar motion time and time again (Baseball Players, Quarterbacks, Golfers, etc.)
  • Jobs that include lifting things above their head throughout the day. 
  • Intensive back workouts without rest days or massage therapy. 

 

Traumatic Injury

 

Any kind of traumatic injury that you experience can also lead to upper back pain. Traumatic injuries such a car accident, slipping and falling, intense workout, or a sports injury, among others, puts you at high risk of developing upper back pain. 

 

You may notice this pain directly after the injury, or it may gradually appear with the pain slowly worsening over time. It is important to see a doctor and chiropractor after any severe or traumatic injury to ensure that no other further issues develop. 

 

Pinched nerve

 

 A common problem associated with a herniated disc as the disc can slip far enough and pinch a nerve, causing numbness and pain in the back. 

 

Osteoarthritis

 

A common misconception is the muscles in the back only cause back pain, but it actually could be a problem in the bones and joints. If the cartilage that cushions the bones wears down, the bones will rub together, putting pressure on essential nerves that control pain and sensory systems. 

 

If you feel as though you possibly have osteoarthritis, it is essential that you see a doctor to diagnose and develop a treatment plan. We at Advanced Spine and Sports Care can help get you back on your feet by designing a detailed plan for you and your condition. We want nothing more than to attend to your needs. 

 

Common Questions Asked About Upper Back Pain 

 

What does Upper Back Pain Feel Like? 

 

Upper back pain can feel different for many people. The pain can start off very seriously, or it can gradually develop each day. Most patients describe upper back pain as a burning or pulling sensation. It is important if you feel pain in your back to reach out to Advanced Spine and Sports Care immediately.  

 

How Common is Upper Back Pain? 

 

Upper back pain isn't as common as lower back pain or neck pain. Though all have similar symptoms and causes, only about 1 in 10 men and 1 in 5 women suffer from upper back pain. 

 

When should I call Advanced Spine and Sports Care?

 

Immediately, plain and simple. Not just for upper back pain, but for any kind of back or neck pain, it is crucial that you contact us right away and let us develop a treatment plan for you. Some back and neck related pain can be very serious and demand immediate action.

 

What can I do at home to help it?

 

If you suffer from constant back pain, you can try the heat and cold method. Place a cold pack on the affected area for 20 minutes, and it will reduce swelling and pain. After, place a hot pack for 20 minutes to relax the muscles. You can also use Tylenol or Advil to help with the pain.

 

Contact Advanced Spine and Sports Care Today

 

If you are suffering from upper back pain and it is taking a toll on your everyday life, contact Advanced Spine and Sports Care today. Our team trained professionals will help develop a unique plan for you designed to get you feeling back to normal in no time. Put your back in the best hands in Chicago with Advanced Spine and Sports Care. 

Upper Back Pain & Joint Dysfunction

Chiropractors treat thoracic joint dysfunction with chiropractic adjustments. The term joint dysfunction simply refers to the lack of Range of motion in any plane. Part of what makes the doctors at Advanced Spine & Sports Care so skilled, is the ability to use digital imaging to set a road map of where and what is not functioning correctly. Our goal is to treat pain; that is what brings most patients into our offices. Although we strive to prevent and educate patients on their condition to get the best results.

There are a variety of chiropractic adjustment techniques that can be used to adjust a dysfunctional joint in this and any other region of the spine. These same techniques can really be applied to any joint in the body. Some adjustment techniques use the hands and use precise thrusting in a specific direction. Our doctors may also use a softer directional adjusting tool to accommodate the specific needs of each patient.

Disc Related Injury

Since most disc bulges and/or herniations naturally regress in a few months, chiropractors will attempt to reduce the pain and pressure caused by the disc injury. More importantly however, is the prevention of the joint dysfunction which often causes the disc involvement to begin with. Chiropractic treatment of a thoracic disc injury may include one or a combination of the following:

  • Spinal manipulation
  • Intersegmental traction
  • Corrective exercises to strengthen around proper joint alignment
  • Physical modalities (heat, ice, electrical stimulation, ultra sound)
  • Non Surgical Spinal Decompression using DRX 9000

Our providers often use proteolytic enzymes and other supplements to speed the healing. The use of anti inflammatory diet has proven effective in pain relief and prevention.

Contact Advanced Spine and Sports Care Today

If you are suffering from upper back pain and it is taking a toll on your everyday life, contact Advanced Spine and Sports Care today. Our team trained professionals will help develop a unique plan for you designed to get you feeling back to normal in no time. Put your back in the best hands in Chicago with Advanced Spine and Sports Care.