Global Sports: A Guide To Upper Back Pain

Sunday, November 28, 2010

A Guide To Upper Back Pain

By Peter Funk


Upper back pain can cause terrible discomfort as well as intense pain. The upper back is formed differently and functions differently to the lower back. The lower back as well as the neck is supposed to give mobility. The upper back is meant to provide strength and stability to allow an individual to stand upright. It is also needed for the protection of the internal organs that are in the chest.

There are twelve vertebrae that are situated in the middle of the spine and this is what makes up the thoracic spine. Each of these vertebrae is linked to a rib on each side and these ribs are linked to the breastbone. Because of the way that the ribs are linked to the sternum in front and the spine at the rear, there is little movement in the spine.

Trauma or unexpected injury often causes pain in the upper back. Another cause of pain in this area can be strain or poor posture. Shoulder pain as well as back pain or sometimes both can accompany pain in the upper regions of the back.

The majority of back pain in the upper body is due to either muscular irritation or joint dysfunction, or sometimes both. Pain in the upper back is often related to strain or a sprain which could be caused by repetitive motion or even lifting heavy objects. A muscle strain stretches the muscles too much and this can result in tears in the muscle tissue. The symptoms will be similar if there is a sprain, but instead of the muscles being damaged, the ligaments in the back will be damaged.

This type of muscle strain pain is normally treated quite effectively with passive physical therapy. Massage therapy as well as acupuncture may also be effective. Physical therapies that include strengthening and stretching exercises can help. A trigger point which is a specific spot where the pain is more concentrated can be treated by injecting a local anesthetic.

Between each vertebra there is a disc of cartilage which is there to cushion and absorb any shock whenever there is movement. These discs often harden as wear and tear takes place and this causes them to lose elasticity. The disc will rupture when it starts jutting out from the spinal column. Pain will be felt when pressure caused by the disc is placed on the tissues and nerves within the spinal column.

Osteoporosis can be another cause of back pain. Fibromyalgia causes muscle aches as well as stiffness, so this condition can cause inflammation of the back's connective tissue which will result in pain. Another cause of pain could be spinal stenosis which can result in nerve and tissue pinching in the spinal column. This condition is usually more prominent in people over the age of fifty.

There are many other causes of upper back pain. If you suffer from this regularly, you should visit your health-care professional before it develops into a more serious condition.




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