Help for Your Upper Back Pain
Middle Upper Back Pain or Upper Back and Shoulder Pain!
Causes and Symptoms
Do you remember the last time you were free of your upper back pain?
We hear complaints about burning, tired and annoying nagging aches in this area of the back almost daily. You are not alone!
As you know discomfort in this area can cause significant discomfort. Discomfort in the middle back area is not as common as lower back issues but it can affect your life and make it miserable.
What Type of Symptoms do you have?
- Acute discomfort is short term, generally lasting from a few days to a few weeks. Some acute pain syndromes can become more serious if left untreated.
- Chronic discomfort is pain that persists for more than three months. The pain may be progressive, or may occasionally flare up and then return to a lower level of pain. Here, the exact cause of the pain can sometimes be difficult to determine.
To learn more about chronic issues click here.
Like many of our clients you may find tremendous relief from your acute or chronic muscle discomfort in this area from Upper/Middle/Thoracic Back Pain Exercises. They often get back to play, work, and daily life quickly.
Plus they are enjoying taking control and restoring the quality of their lives!
Anatomy of Your Thoracic Spine
- Thoracic pertains to the chest. This area is also called the upper back or mid-back
- Made up of 12-vertebrae (T1-12) in the middle of the spine with ribs attached
- Each vertebra in the thoracic spine is connected to a rib
- T1-9 meet in the front and attach to the sternum or breastbone
- T12-12 do not join together at the front or sternum. They protect the vital organs while allowing for slight motion
- The joints between the bottom thoracic vertebra (T12) and the top lumber/lower back vertebra (L1) allow for your back to twist
The Job of Your Upper/Middle/Thoracic Back
- Designed for strength
- Designed for stability
- Allows us to stand upright
- Protects organs of the chest
Back Exercises are a great way to help prevent back pain and to strengthen and condition your back muscles.
Upper/Middle/Thoracic Back Pain Causes
- Nerve impingements
- Muscle Pain and Spasms
- Myofascial involvement
- Chest (respiratory) infections
- Injury
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Pregnancy
- Displacement of a rib or ribs
- Obesity
There can be an injury to a disc in the thoracic area (such as a herniated disc or degenerated disc) that causes upper back pain, but such injuries are very rare.
Activities that May Cause Your Upper/Middle/Thoracic Back Pain Symptoms
- Improper sitting
- Poor posture
- Improper sitting
- Lifting incorrectly
- Sneezing or coughing
- Sedentary jobs
- Lack of exercise
- Repetitive stress
- Lack of exercise
- Athletic injuries
If you are unsure of your symptoms or have the following issues please call your primary health care provider.
- Upper back and chest pain
- Sharp Pain in Upper Back
- Upper Back Pain in Lung area
Most importantly before treatment for your discomfort…please do the following:
- Learn all you can about your symptoms and causes
- Find a highly skilled and trained Physician, Chiropractor or Orthopedic Physician that will give you their best attention, tests and diagnosis
- Follow the treatment plan daily to restore the quality of your life!
