• Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Login

Staying Healthy

Everything you want to know about your health and those you love

  • Adults
  • Children
  • Conditions
  • Education/Training
    • Health Education and Training Blog
    • Health Degree Programs
    • Health Short Courses
  • Fitness
  • Healthcare
  • Mental Health
  • Pet Health
  • Health Store

How to Deal With Upper Back Pain

Leave a Comment

Spinal columnThe upper back, also known as thoracic back is the upper portion of the spine. Upper back pain can cause uneasiness between the neck and the lumbar spine and if not taken care of, it can turn to intense pain.

Causes of upper back pain are as follows:

  • Poor posture – which can weaken the muscles and strain joint ligaments
  • Overuse of muscles – tired muscles and joints can cause a pull in the spine alignment
  • Osteoporosis, ruptured spinal disk, spinal injury
  • Heart disease – such as Myocardial Infarction

The common areas affected by upper back pain are the trapezius, large triangular-shaped muscles and shoulder blades. Symptoms may include constant pain at the local area or sometimes the ribs may also become involve extending the pain around to the front. Some may also feel radiating pain to the arms due to the nerve supply from your upper back to your arms.

Treatments for upper back pain

Treatments for upper back pain include:

  • Physiotherapy – concentrates on treating the muscles
  • Physical Therapy – active and passive
  • Chiropractors – adjusting of joints both in the spine and ribs
  • Massage therapy
  • Ice and heat therapy
  • Acupuncture
  • Medications – such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Simple exercise may be sufficient

If you think that your upper back pain does not require serious intervention, then you can try this simple exercises which you can do on your own. This may help relieve pain and discomfort.

  • Pectoralis Stretch – you have to stand at the door’s entrance while holding the frame. Then start leaning forward. This will help tighten your chest muscles. Do it at least three times with a  duration of 15 seconds for each set.
  • Arm Slides – stand against the wall with your back facing the wall. Stretch your arms on the wall while your palms are facing outward. Raise your hands up and down repeatedly to stretch the muscles on your upper back and arms.
  • Scapular Squeezes – Bend your elbows while keeping your palms facing outward. Then hold your arms up on the side of your body and move your hands backwards as far as you can. Do this for at least 20 times.

Related

You might also like:

Spinal columnUpper Back Pain Explained! Default ThumbnailWhat is a Herniated Disc Surgery? Default ThumbnailGet Help for Back Pain with Back Support Aids Default ThumbnailWays On How To Reduce Back Pain From Sitting Default ThumbnailTreating and Caring For Upper Back Pain Default ThumbnailSimplifying the Search for Ergonomic Chairs Default ThumbnailIs there a Relation between Stomach Bloating and Back Pain? Alison Back SafetyLearn How You Can Prevent Back Injury Alison Workstation ErgonomicsKey Factors That Can Affect You At Your Workstation – Free Course back massageIs Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery The Right Choice For You?

Filed Under: Back Pain Tagged With: Arm Slides, Causes of upper back pain, How to Deal With Upper Back Pain, Pectoralis Stretch, Scapular Squeezes, treatments for upper back pain, upper back pain

What are Your Views on This? Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Search This Website

Health Topics

Pet Health

Girl and Dog

Can I use Neosporin on my Dogs?

Dogs are considered to be one of the most loved animals in the world. In fact, dogs are the most common house pet all across the globe. Aside from … [Read More...]

More Posts About Pet Health

Electronics in Health

mother breastfeeding baby

Breastfeed Your Baby: Electronic Breast Pumps

Feeding your new baby breast milk is a choice a new mother has to make one way or another. It can be a great way to make sure your baby gets the best … [Read More...]

More Posts from Electronic Category

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Me

Copyright © 2023  Staying Healthy