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Upper Back Pain Symptoms
Although upper back
pain is not a very
common spinal
disorder, it can
cause significant
discomfort and pain
when it does occur.
The most common
causes of upper back
pain are muscular
irritation
(myofascial pain) and
joint dysfunction.
There can be an
injury to a disc in
the upper back (such
as a herniated disc
or degenerated disc)
that causes upper
back pain, but such
injuries are very
rare.
It is important to
note that the
thoracic spine (also
called upper back,
middle back, or
mid-back) is very
different in form and
function than the
cervical spine (neck)
or the lumbar spine
(lower back). While
the neck and lower
back are designed to
provide us with
mobility, the
thoracic spine is
designed to be very
strong and stable to
allow us to stand
upright and to
protect the vital
internal organs in
the chest. Because
this section of the
spinal column has a
great deal of
stability and only
limited movement,
there is generally
little risk of injury
or degeneration over
time in
Symptoms of upper
back pain may
include:
-
Pain in the
upper back
-
Muscle spasms
-
Pain when you
take a deep
breath
-
Pain when your
back is touched
or when you move
-
Pain when you
move your
shoulders or
bend your neck
forward.
-
Excessive muscle
tension in the
lower neck and
upper back
-
Pinching and
stabbing pains
between the
shoulder blades
-
Stiffness
-
Restricted neck
movement
-
Shoulder
discomfort
-
Tired arms
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