| When you experience upper back pain, it's occurring | | | | * Strain due to incorrect lifting |
| in what's called the cervical curve which is composed | | | | These are certainly not all the causes of upper back |
| of the vertebrae C1 through C7. Vertebrae are the | | | | pain, but they are the most frequent causes. Most |
| bones in your spine and this section of the spine has | | | | people experience routine upper back pain due to the |
| less motion than the mid-spine bones. The cervical | | | | most common reason of all: sleeping wrong on the |
| curve bones have a very important role: they | | | | pillow. It sounds so simple, but can cause great pain |
| support your head. In other words, you can hold | | | | for a few days. The more serious injuries to the |
| your head up because of your upper spine and the | | | | upper spine are usually due to events like car |
| connected muscles. The cervical curve, or upper | | | | accidents or sports accidents. |
| back, also serves to protect the nerves that run | | | | Treatment of upper back pain depends upon the |
| from your brain to your body. | | | | cause of the pain naturally. It can be just as difficult |
| Since the upper back bones have less mobility than | | | | to pinpoint the exact cause of pain in the upper back |
| the middle of the spine, upper back pain is most | | | | as it is to pinpoint it in the mid and lower back |
| frequently due to muscle injury or myositis. Myositis is | | | | regions. But even if the doctor can't locate the exact |
| the inflammation of muscles. Fortunately, the bones in | | | | reason for the pain if it's not due to vertebrae injury, |
| the upper back seldom experience problems like | | | | you can still find relief through a number of methods. |
| herniated discs. Unfortunately, you can't see muscle | | | | These methods range from applying heat or cold all |
| strain on diagnostic pictures like an MRI. | | | | the way to surgery. |
| The medical community is increasingly convinced | | | | Since most upper back pain is due to muscle strain, |
| stress can cause a lot of back pain. Stressed and | | | | surgery is usually not required. Other treatments |
| tight muscles in the neck surrounding the cervical | | | | include anti-inflammatory drugs, massage and muscle |
| curve can result in upper back pain. For example, a | | | | relaxants. It's really good news that the upper spine |
| 'stiff neck' can feel like pain in your neck and upper | | | | seldom deteriorates since it protects the nerves |
| back. The tight muscles further restrict the limited | | | | from the brain. Injuring the bones in the upper spine |
| motion of this part of the spine. Other causes, | | | | can result in nerve damage too, and that can be |
| besides injury or stress, of upper back pain include | | | | extremely debilitating. |
| the following. | | | | If you have upper back pain, and your home |
| * Osteoporosis | | | | remedies have not brought relief, a doctor should be |
| * Disc disease | | | | consulted. |
| * Bad posture | | | | |