Are you experiencing upper back pain and wondering what the cause might be? The upper back refers to the top of your body between the bottom of your neck and your underarms. It’s made up of muscles and bones that help us do everyday tasks or exercise.
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common causes of upper back pain, along with some tips to lessen the discomfort. Keep reading to learn about them.
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Common Causes of Upper Back Pain
Upper back pain is a common complaint and can have many causes. The most common cause of discomfort in the upper back is an injury that has caused joint dysfunction or muscle irritation. A few of the most typical reasons for upper back discomfort are as follows:
Poor Posture
Poor posture can be one of the leading causes of upper back pain. It can arise from stress, high levels of fatigue, or an incorrect seating position. Bad posture can place strain and tension on the muscles in the upper back, shoulders, and neck, leading to pain in these areas.
When sitting, it is important to be mindful of any slouching or slumping of the shoulders and to take frequent breaks to stretch and rest. With practice, poor posture can be corrected, leading to a reduction in upper back pain.
Overused Muscle
Muscle overuse occurs when muscles are worked for long periods without enough rest. It is common in people who work jobs that require physical labor, such as construction workers, people who do housework with little or no rest, or avid athletes.
Common symptoms of muscle overuse include pain, tenderness, localized swelling, and stiffness. It’s important to take breaks when doing repetitive motions, stretching, and breathing to prevent the pain from becoming chronic.
Injury
Muscle strains, ligament sprains, and joint sprains are the most common types of injuries that can cause upper back pain. Joint sprains can also cause upper back pain when the joint capsule becomes torn or dislocated. Trauma such as a car accident can also cause injury to the muscles, ligaments, joints, and spine in the upper back and cause pain.
In this case, immediately go to the nearest hospital for some examinations of car accident injuries. After that, know the factors affecting personal injury settlement to know where to focus the most in the healing process.
Illness
Illness is an often-overlooked cause of upper back pain. Long-term pain, soreness, and stiffness can be symptoms of different illnesses. These illnesses, such as arthritis, can cause a weakened spine and lead to pain in the upper back.
Severe colds, flu, and the common cold can cause tightness in the chest, including the upper back area, resulting in pain. Another source of upper back pain caused by illness can be infections of the kidneys or other organs in the vicinity of the back.
Even psychological illnesses, like anxiety and depression, can cause tightness and soreness in the back. As such, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure that any ill-caused upper back pain is identified and treated appropriately.
Protect Your Health
Upper back pain can be caused by a variety of factors. Poor posture and stress, as well as overuse, age-related wear, and “wear and tear” on organs and discs in the neck, back, and upper body, are all potential causes of upper back pain.
To avoid future pain, speak with a doctor to better understand and manage possible causes.
If you find this helpful, check out our other articles to learn more.
