Upper Back Pain Symptoms

 

Although upper back pain is relativelycommon spinal disorder affecting millions of people.  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.

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