By Margarette Tustle
Upper back pain is less
common but can be just as
painful as lower back or
neck pain. The upper back
is designed to support the
upper body and neck rather
than to twist and turn.
You can get pain in your
upper back from injury or
strain or even from lack
of use. Once you have isolated
the cause of your upper
back pain it will be more
easily treated. The root
causes of pain in the upper
back are muscular irritation
and joint malfunction.
What Is Joint Malfunction?
Joint malfunction is most
likely caused by strain
or injury to the joints
between the ribs and the
upper back. A chiropractor,
an osteopathic doctor or
a physical therapist can
manipulate the upper back
in order to loosen and also
strengthen those muscles
to relieve the strain and
prevent future injury. As
part of treatment you may
also take anti-inflammatory
drugs to cut down on the
upper back pain. A steroid
shot will probably not be
used unless it is injected
right at the point where
the pain initiates (the
trigger point.)
What Is Muscular
Irritation?
If you suffer from muscular
irritation it is most likely
not caused by strain or
injury but rather from lack
of activity or poor muscle
strength in the shoulder
girdle which connects the
scapula to the thoracic
cavity. Upper back pain
in this case can be alleviated
by chiropractic care, acupuncture,
deep muscle massage, physical
therapy, and strengthening
and stretching exercises.
Are There Other
Causes?
A herniated or ruptured
disk is one of the less
commonly found causes of
upper back pain. Of people
who come in for a herniated
disk treatment only 1 percent
have problems in the upper
back. Another uncommon cause
for pain in the upper back
is degenerative disk disease.
Those who work long hours
at the computer or at a
desk are more likely candidates
for upper back pain than
the general population.
Good posture would help
to alleviate the problem
as well as strengthening
exercises.
Suggested Treatment Options:
• Chiropractic care:
Once scorned by much of
the medical community, it
is now a well-respected
profession and may be covered
by your insurance.
• Physical therapy:
As you strengthen your back,
shoulders, and abdomen,
you will suffer from less
upper back pain.
• Acupuncture: This
ancient Chinese healing
art is also becoming more
popular in treatment of
chronic pain.
• Deep muscle massage:
A massage therapist trained
in relieving upper back
pain can be very useful.
• The most serious
cases of pain in the upper
back may require medication
for immediate relief.
Margarette Tustle writes
ideas for health and family.
Read more back resources
for back pain at diback.com.
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